25 Friday Dec 2015
Posted in Beer, Books, Car Boot, Carp Fishing, Coarse Fishing, Conservation, Cooking, Cornwall, Drink, Everything about fishing, Film, Fish & Game Recipes, Fishing, Fly Fishing, Food, Gin, Interiors, London, Lure Fishing, Mudlarking, Music, Nature, Old Salts, Photography, Pike Fishing, Poetry, Presents, Public Houses, Reclaim, River Fishing, River Thames, Rod Building & Restoration, Sculpture, Sea fishing, Sport, Street Art, Tackle, Tales by the riverbank, Theatre, Tools, travel, Vintage, Vintage homewares, Whisky
To all of you brothers of the angle, shutter and paintbrush, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas, may you all find peace and love not only over the Christmas season but for evermore.
For those of you heading to the river or sea tomorrow may your lines be tight and smiles put upon your face.
I bless you all for a prosperous New Year.
24 Thursday Dec 2015
Posted in Art, Barbel Fishing, Beer, Books, Car Boot, Carp Fishing, Childrens Books, Coarse Fishing, Conservation, Cooking, Cornwall, Dogs, Drink, Everything about fishing, Film, Fish & Game Recipes, Fishing, Fly Fishing, Fly Tying, Food, Gin, Interiors, London, Lure Fishing, Mudlarking, Music, Nature, Old Salts, Olympics, Photography, Pike Fishing, Poetry, Presents, Public Houses, Reclaim, River Fishing, River Fishing, River Thames, Rod Building & Restoration, Sculpture, Sea fishing, Sport, Street Art, Tackle, Tales by the riverbank, Theatre, Tools, travel, Vintage, Vintage homewares, Whisky
Between the rain showers and the warm glow of winter sun we dashed around the village doing the lasts bits of shopping before retiring to the pub for a beer and a bite to eat in order to give us energy to wrap those Christmas gifts for young Tales, it may take some time.
The years seems to have passed all too quickly, possibly because we’ve done a lot but more than likely because we are getting older. During the year we went West Wales for young Tales birthday to allow him to fish for sea-trout, went to a wedding in St Ives, visited Mrs Tales birthplace on the island of Cyprus, retuned to Bexhill – a place I spent time at as a young teenager to fish, stalled out at The National Vintage Tackle Fair, worked on some new projects and now it’s Christmas.
As it’s time to spend time with Mrs and young Tales on this Christmas Eve I want to take this opportunity to wish all of you who have taken time to read my blog a very merry Christmas.
13 Sunday Dec 2015
Posted in Art, Beer, Books, Conservation, Drink, Everything about fishing, Film, Fishing, Fly Fishing, Gin, Interiors, London, Music, Photography, Poetry, Presents, Public Houses, Reclaim, River Thames, Tales by the riverbank, Theatre, Tools, travel, Vintage
11 Friday Dec 2015
Posted in Art, Beer, Books, Car Boot, Childrens Books, Conservation, Film, Fishing, Food, Gin, Interiors, London, Music, Olympics, Photography, Poetry, Presents, Public Houses, Reclaim, River Fishing, River Thames, Street Art, Tales by the riverbank, Theatre, travel, Vintage, Vintage homewares
The streets were packed with people, children crowded around a couple of real Raindeer that were grazing in a makeshift pen, choirs sang and bell ringers rang their bells and classic Christmas songs sung by iconic singers of the 50’s filled the air.
As we made our way along Church Road towards to Olympic Cinema originally know as the Olympic Studio known better as the recording studio of the Rolling Stones, Led Zep and a cast of many well known groups. There on the pavement was a pop up vinyl DJ booth playing an array of tunes from groups which frequented this leafy village in SW13. It was an evening of nostalgia and one where everyone took to the streets for the annual Christmas shopping evening.
As vinyl is making a comeback there is nothing quite like picking up an old LP feasting your eyes on the graphics then listen to the sound from that rotating black disc. These old records make great secret Santa gifts and if purchased from a charity store should cost you no more than a couple of pounds.
09 Wednesday Dec 2015
Posted in Art, Books, Car Boot, Childrens Books, Conservation, Drink, Everything about fishing, Film, Fishing, Gin, Interiors, London, Music, Photography, Poetry, Presents, Public Houses, Reclaim, River Fishing, River Thames, Street Art, Tales by the riverbank, Theatre, travel, Vintage, Vintage homewares, Whisky
Purchased before the end of the summer for the sum of £2 a fine copy of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens and illustrated by Arthur Rackham, published in 1952. This copy by William Heinemann Ltd, London makes an ideal Christmas gift for all ages.
This well illustrated book with simple black and white along with fine colour plates is a treasure to behold.
Interestingly enough my old friend Steve Hunter is playing in our local production of a Christmas Carol by the Barnes Community Players and directed by Emilia Lerderleitnerova, this I must see and have booked tickets for the family.
There is still nothing quite like the vintage illustrations to evoke the thoughts of Christmas past.
31 Wednesday Dec 2014
Posted in Art, Barbel Fishing, Beer, Books, Car Boot, Carp Fishing, Childrens Books, Coarse Fishing, Conservation, Cooking, Cornwall, Dogs, Everything about fishing, Film, Fish & Game Recipes, Fishing, Fly Fishing, Fly Tying, Food, Gin, Interiors, London, Lure Fishing, Mudlarking, Music, Nature, Old Salts, Olympics, Photography, Pike Fishing, Poetry, Presents, Public Houses, Reclaim, River Fishing, River Thames, Rod Building & Restoration, Sculpture, Sea fishing, Sport, Street Art, Tackle, Tales by the riverbank, Theatre, Tools, travel, Vintage, Vintage homewares, Whisky
As the minutes tick away it will soon be time to herald in the the New Year, cast our thoughts back to moments of 2014 which made up the tapestry of an interesting and eventful year, from distilling, cooking, travel, fishing, painting, writing and meeting so many new faces.
We shared special moments with family, fishermen and friends and look forward to more adventures in 2015.
May I wish you all from which ever continent you may reside a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year and thank you for following talesbytheriverbank.
24 Wednesday Dec 2014
Posted in Art, Barbel Fishing, Beer, Car Boot, Carp Fishing, Coarse Fishing, Conservation, Cooking, Cornwall, Drink, Everything about fishing, Film, Fish & Game Recipes, Fishing, Fly Fishing, Fly Tying, Food, Gin, Interiors, London, Lure Fishing, Mudlarking, Music, Nature, Old Salts, Photography, Pike Fishing, Poetry, Presents, Public Houses, Reclaim, River Fishing, River Thames, Rod Building & Restoration, Sculpture, Sea fishing, Sport, Street Art, Tackle, Theatre, Tools, travel, Vintage, Vintage homewares, Whisky
Tags
Andrews of Arcadia, Christmas, Christmas Eve, Fishing, Memories, Penguin, Rod Builder, Thanks, Traditional, Vintage Tackle
At the time of writing this post over 95,0045 of you out there have visited talesbytheriverbank, I thank each and everyone of you. Many are regular visitors covering every continent from where the sun rises to where it sets, those of you in Australia will already be celebrating Christmas and others of you will be spending the hours ahead with loved ones or those of you on your own, our thoughts and prayers are with you and that you find peace and happiness where ever you are.
For those of you who share the passion for fishing may the new year bring you memorable stories, tight lines and adventure.
To those of you we have met on our journey, shared our passion, stories and learned by the teaching of your skills whether , fisher, rod builder, engineer, artisan, tackle dealer, artist, photographer, film maker, conservationist, river keeper,writer, journalist, story teller, reel maker, fly tyer or fish whisperer the House Of Tales wishes you all a very Happy Christmas and New Year.
02 Tuesday Dec 2014
As a chill wind blew on this the second day of Advent I bring to you a fine vintage Richard Wheatley Silmalloy Metal box of Sea-Trout flies that were recently purchased for the price of a bottle of Burgundy from a tackle shop in Walton that also deals in second hand tackle, namely The Tackle Exchange.
Within the box a myriad of flies of bright colours that remind me of the Christmas lights that adorned our tree in the 60’s or should I say …’Just like the ones I use to know’.
06 Friday Dec 2013
Tags
Barnes, Geronimo Inns, jazz, River, Road, The Bulls Head, Young's
On this first Friday of December also being the sixth day of Advent our local pub The Bulls Head in Barnes reopened under the management team of Geronimo Inns. The stylish surrounding of this famous London jazz venue are a welcome addition to the road by the river. For many years this venue has been frequented by the great names in jazz along with a crowd of local drinkers.
There is an inspiring menu and a diligent team that will welcome you this winter, coal fires, good wines and dependable Young’s ales await. As on the sixth day six geese were laying, a tray of fine foie gras was offered as they opens the doors for a soft launch before the main event on the 12th.
Tucked away on a bookcase was a book so aptly titled ‘The River Road’ I can see I may have to settle into one of the comfortable sofas with a pint and pass away the time reading one winters night.
I raise a glass to their success.
16 Thursday May 2013
Posted in Art, Books, Conservation, Everything about fishing, Film, Fly Fishing, Music, Photography, Tales by the riverbank, travel, Vintage
Tags
617 Squadron, Dambuster, Lancaster, Limited Edition Print, RAF, Scampton, Sergeant Leslie Charles Hazell
617 Squadron ‘Dambuster’ Lancaster Limited Edition signed print.
The sky is full of cloud, unlike the evening 70 years ago. There is a chill in the air at RAF Scampton, today we pay tribute to those brave men and women who orchestrated one of the most audacious raids of the Second World War, the raid on the Möhne Dam, known as the ‘Dambuster Raid‘ by 617 Squadron.
Of Those 19 Lancaster and selected 133 crew who under a full moon flew at tree-top level to deliver a devastating attack,many were not to return, in fact only 77 men came back, the rest gave the ultimate sacrifice. We pay tribute with a sun set ceremony.
We as a family are lucky to have a signed Limited Edition print of some of the remaining crew of that raid. Having been adopted by my stepfather whose father was Capt Leslie Charles Hazell who flew for 9th Squadron and was sadly killed on December 20th 1942, young ‘Tales‘ and a Hazell by name is in awe of what he has witnessed. Young ‘Tales’ has seen several times the BBMF at both Goodwood and the Bournemouth Air Show and still his eyes light up, he always says ‘is that what grandpa’s daddy flew’…
In the autumn we went to RAF Coningsby to the home of the Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) and ‘Little Tales’ saw first hand Thumper being readied for its duties for 2013, like so many of us he started to realise the enormity of what those young men took on, at the age of 7 and a bit he realises what his great-grandfather and so many other young men with so much courage and commitment gave, full knowing that many would never return.
http://www.thedambusters.org.uk/mohne_attack.html
Lest we forget
tales by the riverbank 