I've no idea who will read this... Anyway, I'm sitting here at work messing around and, as I sometimes do I started googling "Pewsey" and "Pewsey Angling" and, inevitably, I stumbled upon your blog. A massive lump formed in my throat as emotions of incredible joy and not a small amount of sadness swamped me as I remembered my childhood in Pewsey and, in particular, my time as a young angler whose life revolved around the PDAA and the canal. My mum and I moved to Bridge Cottage when I was 5 (1970) and at age 6 I caught my first trout in the Avon. Soon after I developed a madness for fishing on the canal that was so strong I still have occasionally incredibly vivid dreams even though I haven't fished there since I was 22 -- over half my life ago. Events conspired against me--my Dad lived abroad and, at age 11 I moved to be with him, spending the summers in Pewsey. But at 22, I had finished university in the US where I live today, and could no longer spend my summers in England. Over the years I've visited England countless times, including Pewsey. And a few years ago, with help from Jimmy Broomham, I was able to look up my surrogate fishing father and his wife, Brian and Kay Euston. I also remember Simon Burden from my fishing days. But in all this time I've never fished the canal. Reading through some of your postings fills me with an incredible longing. Had things been different I could have been right there in the photos with you. Keep blogging. One day I'll be back. All the best to you (all). Ben Schlatter
Ben, Jeez you have brought a lump to my throat. Thank you so much for your kind comments. I will be sure to pass on to Jim (now the club Chairman and Simon Club President). The club has struggled in recent years, but there is no lack of enthusiasm from the members of the committee to try and restore the glory days.
I've no idea who will read this... Anyway, I'm sitting here at work messing around and, as I sometimes do I started googling "Pewsey" and "Pewsey Angling" and, inevitably, I stumbled upon your blog. A massive lump formed in my throat as emotions of incredible joy and not a small amount of sadness swamped me as I remembered my childhood in Pewsey and, in particular, my time as a young angler whose life revolved around the PDAA and the canal. My mum and I moved to Bridge Cottage when I was 5 (1970) and at age 6 I caught my first trout in the Avon. Soon after I developed a madness for fishing on the canal that was so strong I still have occasionally incredibly vivid dreams even though I haven't fished there since I was 22 -- over half my life ago. Events conspired against me--my Dad lived abroad and, at age 11 I moved to be with him, spending the summers in Pewsey. But at 22, I had finished university in the US where I live today, and could no longer spend my summers in England. Over the years I've visited England countless times, including Pewsey. And a few years ago, with help from Jimmy Broomham, I was able to look up my surrogate fishing father and his wife, Brian and Kay Euston. I also remember Simon Burden from my fishing days. But in all this time I've never fished the canal. Reading through some of your postings fills me with an incredible longing. Had things been different I could have been right there in the photos with you. Keep blogging. One day I'll be back. All the best to you (all). Ben Schlatter
ReplyDeleteBen, Jeez you have brought a lump to my throat. Thank you so much for your kind comments. I will be sure to pass on to Jim (now the club Chairman and Simon Club President). The club has struggled in recent years, but there is no lack of enthusiasm from the members of the committee to try and restore the glory days.
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