Jim

Met up with Martin & Dean just before 8 at Cobb's. Caught the 8:30 bridge and headed out to check the sea state. A lumpy sea made the decision for us: Don't go too far out ! ! We are all just getting over our Christmas colds and the lumpy sea made me feel quite "iffy" First mark produced: Conger, Doggies, Pout & Whiting all of which were small. Martin hooked something quite playful but it got off before we clapped eyes on it. We moved to another mark ( a top secret one ) Martin & Dean thought it could be quite good for the Bream later in the year but today it produced some quite big Congers followed by Doggies, Pout, Whiting. It went quiet there and we moved to a mark we fished last time out which had produced some whiting. Well we found where all the babies were hiding ! ! ! We enjoyed listening on the radio to Foxy Fisher & Marichelle playing Hide & Seek and discussing distances & lengths. They did sound as though they were catching fish though. A big thank you to Martin & Dean for taking me out & thanks to Dean for my bacon & black pudding lunch & coffees. Jim

Happy Birthday Derek. Hope it's all been good. Jim

Happy Birthday Dave. That explains the Pre-booked Hangover then ! Hope you're not feeling too rough. ( Must have been something you ate ) Got to take it easy at YOUR age y'know. Jim

Some old, fat bloke got in quick ! Martin, Dean & Jim out on Madness. Thanks Martin.

It is Mike Fox !

Better than scrapping it. And a younger bloke with more time and less dosh will be glad to get his sticky mits on it ! We hope. Good luck. Jim

You would be surprised at the number of people who would want to buy your old boat. Stick on the ' Tinternet ' and see.

Good luck Hooky. As for manual tilt: I used to do it a Baiter. Would not want to do it again. That skeg on the engine could easily stab you or your crew's foot. Any shallow slip would be a nightmare. Whatever engine you get it has to be power tilt. ( In my humble opinion ) All the best. Jim

Good luck Hooky.

Is there a bar at Greenslades ? We could hold it there if the weather's crap.

Hi Kev, As it's your birthday you could probably have a long soak in the Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaath. ! I hope you've had and are still having a great day. Jim

Nice one Kev. And the right way up too.

Eye lad !

Will you explain it to ME then Martin. I NEVER know what I'm on about.

As they say up north . . . . .It's a funny how d'ya do !

I believe the council were awarded some dosh by the government. They must use it within a time frame or loose it. They already knew these roads needed work but couldn't do the work without without funds and then when they got funds had no time to phase it to cause the least disruption. Sounds as though I'm singing their praises! No I'm not. Does seem a daft system though. I suppose we'll be able to watch the " fag rolling competition " as we drive through. Or the " shovel leaning " Or the " fag rolling whilst leaning on a shovel " Jim

Hi Paul, Sorry I missed this. Happy Birthday. I hope it's been great. Steve's youngest is the same day. Difficult to separate Christmas & Birthday so just one great big celebration then ?

Happy Birthday George. Happy Birthday Tony. Just like busses ! ! Nothing all year and then 2 together ! Make sure you get double rations of cake ! Jim

Nice one Stuie.

I see.

Only seen them once myself ( I suppose that's good considering how often I don't get out ) But when the Dolphins turn up ... the fishing goes dead. Lovely to see though !

Was that a coincidence that the fish stopped when we swapped over to the unwashed squid ? ? ? How did others do on the unwashed stuff? I know we moved 3 or 4 times but we had almost nothing on the unwashed. Jim

Thanks Martin & Neil. As I always say It's a day out for me and if I catch any fish that's a bonus. Cheers. Jim

Managed to get a place on Madness with Martin & Neil ( Tarlach ) We had much the same as everyone else. LOADS of Doggies. Whiting. Strap Conger. ( can someone tell me why it's called Strap? ) Undulate Ray. Small eyed Ray. Pout. Followed by a few beers and some nosh ( thanks to Jacqui for driving ) Martin, Thanks for the trip. Great company as always. Neil, Good to meet you. And yes you're good company too ! Jim

I don't know much about tablets but on a PC it's MUCH easier than it was.