.
Pebbles in my crocs
an evil state of affairs
and first-world problem
.
by Scooj
Tag: Fishing
Fisher
.
A slow flowing glide
and overcast conditions
perfect for fishing
.
by Scooj
Reminiscence V
.
Our attention grabbed
a rare sand lizard scuttles
while we tend our rods
.
Vigil
.
Standing motionless
worn down and battle-scarred bill
heron… gone fishing
.
by Scooj
36. Delay and treachery
Some readers of this blog may not know that it is called Natural Adventures because it was started as a digitisation of a journal I kept during an adventure I had in the Falkland Islands in 1988 when I was a young man. I was a fisheries scientist working for the Falkland Islands Government, and at this point in the Journal had spent several weeks at sea on a Japanese squid jigger called the Koei Maru 30, and very much looking forward to some shore leave.
For context, it might be worth reading chapter 1, ‘An ill wind‘.
The full series of posts are in the ‘Falkland Journal, 1988′ category of the Natural Adventures blog, to be read in reverse order (from the bottom up).
Wednesday 13 July 1988. Koei Maru 30
Well, I’m jolly batey (pissed-off) this morning. I have been told that in fact we’re staying out for a day longer than planned because, well, I don’t exactly understand why. Still, it has really pissed me (and many of the crew) off.
There was I this morning thinking that my sampling was the last I was going to do and feeling a little sad about it, when in fact I shouldn’t have done.
Actually, I’m not going to do a sample tomorrow – I’m going to be laid back and do gangion (jargon) counts only! So there!
I have just finished ‘One Hundred Years of Solitude’ what an incredible end – I never guessed. So Clever. I wish I could create something like that. A most enjoyable book, despite me taking so long to read it.
Thursday 14 July 1988. Koei Maru 30
Once again a miraculous sunrise – if nothing else, I shall miss these when I leave these islands for good.
I have been racing through William Golding’s ‘Rites of Passage’ which is a topical and easy to read book. I am enjoying it.
A small bird (a petrel of some sort – perhaps a white-chinned petrel) (more likely a storm petrel) was sitting in the squid gutter. I took some piccies of it – poor thing is very bedraggled – I don’t know how these birds get in such a state – perhaps it is a disease or something – I don’t know.
Well, tomorrow we really will be in Stanley and my feet shall embrace terra firma for the first time in 34 days – what a luxury it will be, not to have to compensate for thee rolling of the ship – it is wearisome in the extreme.
A cutting:
Perhaps the Marine Conservation Society will be relevant to me one day – I hope so – it is a body I admire and would like to be involved with – perhaps I’ll drop them a line.
Friday 15 July 1988. Koei Maru 30/Port Stanley, Emma’s Guest House
A dull day, but home time. Up early.
So many problems – arrived in Stanley – the crew were all in good spirits.
The meeting with the Fishing Master, JJ (the Falkland Fisheries chief officer), me, Okida (the vessel owner?) and Crag went dismally. JJ insisted on 120 days. What a bloody nightmare. Poor Phil will have to take the brunt of the crew’s discontent.
It is all such a cock up, and working on the KM30 will be a nightmare for observers.
SHIT, I feel like a traitor, and they treated me like one. So sad.
I listened to granny’s tape letter – so good to hear all her news. Very sweet. I love her all the more for hearing it.
Went to Sean’s for chops with Phil – got very pissed – Back to Anna and Sean’s and then very, very drunk – a nice welcome home.
Saturday 16 July 1988. Port Stanley, Emma’s Guest House
I’m feeling morose. I have just realised how short my UK leave is. It is depressing. I’m also concerned about the long-lining. I am so angry with the Ice Master, who is being incredibly immature and hurtful – the Fishing Master too.
Phoned home and D and they all sound well. D sounded a little down, I can’t wait to be with her again. I miss her so much – this week will be a trial.
Crag has handed in his notice and will be leaving in late August. This is very sad. After he goes, there’ll only be Sean, Phil, Drin, Dan and Liz. I’m also depressed because I’m going to be spending a lot more time at sea when I come back, on a ship that hates me!
35. Sunrises
Some readers of this blog may not know that it is called Natural Adventures because it was started as a digitisation of a journal I kept during an adventure I had in the Falkland Islands in 1988 when I was a young man. I was a fisheries scientist working for the Falkland Islands Government, and at this point in the Journal had spent several weeks at sea on a Japanese squid jigger called the Koei Maru 30, and very much looking forward to some shore leave.
For context, it might be worth reading chapter 1, ‘An ill wind‘.
The full series of posts are in the ‘Falkland Journal, 1988′ category of the Natural Adventures blog, to be read in reverse order (from the bottom up).
Sunday 10 July 1988, Koei Maru 30
Today is full of promise. The sun is shining after a glorious sunrise which began with a deep blue-purple and a sliver of a crescent moon in a cloudless starry sky. The orange glows in the East then began and heralded this lovely crisp day.
Another great bit of news is that I am to return to Port Stanley on the 14th, this coming Thursday. The Fishing Master also said that they would still be fishing when I returned from the UK and that they would have a party before returning to Japan, He is a real Jekyll and Hyde – I never quite know which mood I catch him in.
Today has fulfilled its promise, mainly in that it is nearly over. It has been sunny and clear, which lifts the depression which sets in during the gloom and overcast days. A few more Barry please. (an in joke with myself)
Now watching a Japanese war film – a little tactless I think, considering I’m English, but not to worry.
Monday 11 July 1988. Koei Maru 30
Having looked forward so much to today’s radio session, I actually forgot it in my forgetfulness… eh?
I was instead having lots of fun in the factory deck. Abe is a great bloke – always poking fun, always playing the monkey. Very funny. I’m glad that people aged 28 or so can still be complete fools, it is refreshing.
Wrote possibly my last letter for a while to Mum and Ad. Talked about Abe and Mr Chiba.
Couldn’t get to sleep at all, I’m so excited about getting back to Port Stanley.
Tuesday 12 July 1988. Koei Mau 30
After three and a half hours sleep, I went to hold 4 and took loads of ‘crew at work’ piccies. I also took some photographs of one of the loveliest sunrises I’ve ever witnessed. The wispy clouds touched with pink. I wish it was a slide not a print!
Wrote a letter to D, telling her that I’m going completely bonkers. I am.
I am very tired, but have enjoyed today very much. The more I do this work, the more I enjoy it. Abe got me to top and tail and gut my hake today, which was a good compromise because it meant they readily gave them to me, and it also kept me busy.
I am mortified – I am devastated.
My final link with childhood – the bracelet I have worn every day since my A-levels has just broken – I feel torn and weak like Samson without hair. A great sadness for me. In tatters, I feel like crying but am too tired.
Actually, I don’t think I will ever sleep again. Or will I? 18:00hrs 12.7.88 – Bracelet RIP
Blue Rayed Limpet
.
Close community
gathered on sugar-sweet kelp
each outshines the next
.
by Scooj
Thursday doors – 4 November 2021
Doors 167 – Looe doors (see what I did there?), Cornwall – Part 1
Good morning doorsters. This week, I am returning to Cornwall for some doors I photographed during a sea fishing pilgrimage I make with a great friend every year. We spent a day fishing on the ‘banjo’ pier in the seaside town of Looe, and of course I couldn’t resist the opportunity to take a few door snaps while we were there. No fish were killed in the making of this blog post, all were returned to the sea carefully.
So here are the doors, and one or two fishing pictures to get you in the mood:
So that’s it for another week. More from this series next week, all being well. Have a great weekend.
If you have made it this far, you probably like doors, and you really ought to take a look at the No Facilities blog by Dan Anton who has taken over the hosting of Thursday Doors from Norm 2.0 blog. Links to more doorscursions can be found in the comments section of Dan Anton’s Thursday Doors post.
by Scooj
Perfect
.
Fishing on the rocks
a drop down from Bodinnick
unvaulted blue skies
.
by Scooj
Villainous bastards
.
The Covid spoofers
‘fish’ under NHS guise
there’s no redemption
.
by Scooj
I was by prompted to write this on receiving a very convincing NHS email to make an appointment for a vaccination, based on ‘family genetics or medical history’. As a healthy 57 year old, this didn’t ring true, but I nearly fell for it. Some people really are the scum of the earth, may they rot in hell.
Natural adventures 