Memorial Cup

When my brother-in-law died my husband and his younger brother decided to sponsor a competition at our local fishing club in his name.  John had supported the club all his life and loved nothing more than to encourage young people to take up the sport and so The John Minney Memorial Cup was launched for the youth members.  Our 13 year old grand-daughter has been a keen fisherman for many years and has won cups and wonderful prizes of rods, reels and other fishing equipment but this was her first entry for the Memorial Cup, previous years dates have always coincided with Guide Camp.  On Sunday Heather was the only girl entrant and the last to draw for a peg.  She settled to the task in hand and soon started landing, roach, perch, bleak, dace and minnows.  The final whistle sounded and at the weigh in she  was delighted to find she had landed 4lb 1oz.  - a personal record catch.  Many of the boys are quite experienced fisherman and had rather red faces when Heather was announced the winner and presented with the cup, to keep for a year (this will have her name engraved on it) and £25.  We are so proud of her and thrilled that she shares our love of nature and the countryside.  Great Uncle John would be pretty thrilled too!

Planning her strategy

Little Fishies

My dear hubby has been a fisherman since boyhood and has caught monster salmon, skate, tuna and just about everything else in his time.  He labels himself, a country boy, and enjoys nothing more than instilling the love of the countryside into our grandchildren.  This weekend was no exception and we spent hours on the banks of the beautiful river not far from our back gate.  As you might notice Little C is sporting a plaster cast as a result of a broken arm whilst playing football but this didn't stop him wading in until the water came over the top of his boots.  It became even more fun when he got to wear my wellies which are two sizes too big because he could go in even deeper.  After all the little fishes were safely returned to their river home we ended the day as we always do with a few games of Pooh Sticks.  It may not be great summer weather but who even noticed if the sun was out or not, summer is just about having fun and that's pretty easy with these two.

Little C at the ready

Boo and Grandad know the biggest fish hide under the bridge

Just weighing up the options!

Three heads are better than one

Playing Pooh Sticks

Didn't we have fun

.