Halcyon Days

Halcyon days always seem so warm and comfortable. I remember going fishing with my brother Steven and our mate Michael. We did not have a clue but Michael had all the gear, even back then. Half a pint of maggots between the three of us and 3 perch floats with a pot of shot again shared out. On the bus up to Catchgate mucking about all the way. We probably had no idea what was in there and to be honest I still don't. It seems such a lifetime away, three young lads off over the fields like characters in a comic with their fishing rods over their shoulders and a head full of hope.

The pond was small and we never paid a penny to fish it (don't even know if we were supposed to). we caught a perch a chuck on those setups. It didn't matter that my brother and I had a couple of woolies specials and Michael was fishing with Normark and Abu. We probably outdid him in all honesty. The sun was shining and of course not a screen in sight to spoil the memory. Thinking back at how innocent it all was and the lack of the bivvy brigade and unhooking mat police, it is surreal. A couple of hours and half a pint of maggots spent, arguing over who got to chuck in the last one. Michael always won because his dad would buy them lol.

I would love to be able to go back and look at the three of us, mates mucking about together. not a care in the world the only thing binding us to anything was the last bus home. Although none of us had a watch, so that was on a wing and a prayer at the best of times. Simple days and simple times. We never knew how good we had it.