Annual leave rampage

[diamondlil]

I've had some much-needed time off work, the weather has been beautiful, so I've been rampaging around the countryside and coast.
Firstly, a trip to the reservoir to drown some maggots. I had quite a good day's fishing, 20 or so roach and perch. I did try lure fishing with a popper for pike, but to be honest it didn't really suit my mood for the day, being far too active a process and I was happiest with my little float rod, watching the wildlife. The crested grebes have fledged two young and they seemed to be in the middle of trying to evict them, judging by the chasing and displaying that was going on all day.

 

[diamondlil]

I stayed at my friend Cathy's that night, so we had a lovely evening with the horses, then a takeaway and a very rare bottle of beer meant I fell asleep in my comfy armchair, to be woken up at 5 by an onslaught of love from her red setters. I persuaded them that I needed just a little more sleep, so they joined me on the sofa! Up a little while later for some more time with the horses in the glorious sunshine

 

[diamondlil]

Cathy's mum had to have an endoscopy by one of my consultants, so home to tidy mysef up, then I joined them at the hospital. It was very revealing to be 'the other side of the fence', the staff didn't recognise me as I only ever speak to them over the telephone, so I had a bit of a busman's holiday that day, finding out what my patients experience when I've prepped them for their scopes.
The scope went well, but Cathy's mum was quite grogggy from the sedation, so I stayed with them quite late before going home again

 

[diamondlil]

The next day was really special. I had a visit from one of my friends I went to university with. We started our psychology degree together, then she transferred to study fine art photography. Since then she's been essentially a nomad, travelling all over the world, but we've always kept in sporadic contact. So I've followed her various adventures in the 20 years since we last met up, her exhibitions of photography, her books, her working as a childrens poet and entertainer, her work in forest schools in Indonesia, living in Glastonbury and Cornwall, travelling the Kalahari.
It was amazing to see her and feel the years fall away! The boys hit it off with her straight away, then she stayed overnight in her camper van

 

[diamondlil]

The next day Amanda, Rosie and I set off on an adventure. I knew Amanda would love Dungeness, she'd never visited there so armed with a map, our very poor senses of direction and a lot of laughter, we got there in the end. A blazing hot day on the shingle, such a peaceful and odd place, with the fishermans cottages, the colony of artists and eco-friendly folk who live there, the huge open expanse overlooked by a nuclear power station.

 

[diamondlil]

We had a wonderful day together, then back home with more laughter and entertainment. My older boys played Amanda some of their music, she gave an impromtue poetry reading, Rosie crashed out exhausted and happy

 

[diamondlil]

The following day, Amanda was off on her travels again, I had a study day in the afternoon, so we parted with promises not to wait another 20 years before we meet again!

 

[diamondlil]

The sea was calling me, so off to Deal the next day with my pier rod and some lures. First I had a bit of a tour around the town, as I'd not been here for years. With Georgian terraces and the pier, Deal is absolutely lovely!

 

[diamondlil]

I only had minimal fishing gear with me, so I made time to explore Deal castle, which was amazing! I took about 200 photos so there are far more on my facebook page, I won't clog up bandwidth here, so here are some of my favourite ones

 

[diamondlil]

Then on to the pier, to set up for lure fishing. I tried several different places, tried different lures, but the fish weren't biting!
I was then amazed to catch this tiny baby pouting. All of 5 inches long! I kept it in my bucket to recover as I felt the drop from the pier would probably kill the poor thing. A straw poll of the 15 or so other anglers on the pier made me feel better about my catch of the day, there was a lot of light-hearted banter but in total there were only 5 fish actually caught that day from the pier, including my baby!

 

[diamondlil]

Yesterday was my last day to enjoy the sunshine before returning to my nightshifts tonight, so off to Whitstable with the fishing gear. Alas, no fish supper, but I had another lovely day out, actually spending more time enjoying the day than actively fishing!

 

[Irish Eyes (Mrs.Z)]

I love the UK (and Ireland), after spending a summer there when Z and I were first married. Although I've never been to the places you visited, the scenery around the country seems similar no matter where you are. I LOVE castles and the ocean, and green places. Thank you for the trip down memory lane, and for all the smiling I did while enjoying your photos . I'm glad you enjoyed your time off!

 

[kathylove]

What a wonderful time off you had!

I always hear about how chilly and rainy it is over there (I always guessed it must be somewhat like Seattle). But it looks like the weather was terrific, and you had a much deserved time of recuperation!

 

[diamondlil]

I love the UK (and Ireland), after spending a summer there when Z and I were first married. Although I've never been to the places you visited, the scenery around the country seems similar no matter where you are. I LOVE castles and the ocean, and green places. Thank you for the trip down memory lane, and for all the smiling I did while enjoying your photos . I'm glad you enjoyed your time off!

No worries! I love it so much when people share what they get up to, and I figured ancient castles are the one thing you wouldn't have many of and might like to see!

 

[diamondlil]

I always hear about how chilly and rainy it is over there (I always guessed it must be somewhat like Seattle). But it looks like the weather was terrific, and you had a much deserved time of recuperation!

We've had a really hot, dry spell, followed by some thunderous rain storms (that have saved Cathy's grazing for the horses) and then an odd mixture of blazing sun and sudden showers! I think it's being said to have been the driest Spring and early Summer for years.
I have had such a lovely time, for a change enjoying the whole of my time off and refusing to work any extra shifts, just the chance to have fun that I needed.

 

[snakemom1961]

I had the week off also this week. However, there just aren't any places as remotely lovely and interesting to take day trips to over here. It looks like your time off was a splendid one. Thanks for sharing it with us with your photos.

 

[diamondlil]

I had the week off also this week. However, there just aren't any places as remotely lovely and interesting to take day trips to over here. It looks like your time off was a splendid one. Thanks for sharing it with us with your photos.

Thanks Nancy. I'm not going on a big vacation this year so I'm making the most of my leave time by exploring places within reach by train from where I live. I've got more leave next month and in Sept with trips already planned to visit family and friends, so there will be more to come!