Fishing from Fleetwood

The eco side of my character wonders about fishing as a hobby, albeit a very occasional one. But the sea is a fantastic resource, if treated properly. Last Saturday Joe and I joined a fishing party on Blue Mink off Fleetwood, last minute space fillers for a club where two members couldn't make it. We go every year at least once with the brilliant Andy Bradbury, skipper and owner of the boat. I've used such services elsewhere - Anglesey and Rhos among them - but he is by far the best.

In terms of value for money how do you rate enjoyment? It cost us (me) £80, and we took home a large Bull Huss prepped by the skipper for me, two plaice, and two dabs. Not economic in terms of food on the table then. But all cooked and eaten that night, and there is nothing as good as really fresh fish. Had we wanted, and possessed the skill to skin them, we could have eaten dogfish aplenty. But we didn't and don't. Pity, as they are everywhere. When I was a kid in Gorleston rock salmon as they were euphemistically called featured on the chippie menus, and was a favourite with my mother. A very tasty fish, as was the Huss - the first I can recall eating: it was softer than dogfish, if my memory serves, and had a distinct crabby-sweetness, really good.

The value, though, is probably in the pleasure my son took in the day (7 - 3), landing the first fish, catching I think the most fish (not bad given we were with guys who go on the boat every month, sometimes twice a month), and having a prolonged period in the fresh air (for which read away from texts, X-Box and similar vices).

Word Gets Round, Like My Stomach

Though our garden is thoroughly secluded our next door neighbours must have noticed me cutting lopped branches into wood for the burner, as they offered me the stuff left by a tree surgeon who sorted out a few of their unloved apple trees. It's a pity that the burner is sealed as applewood smells lovely on an open fire.

Cutting wood is about the only exercise I do these days, but it makes me want to do more as the lift you get afterwards - all those endorphins doubtless - is great. Sunday was spent cutting out-of-place branches from the fruit trees on our allotment, sawing worthwhile bits down into more firewood. Trouble is for all it is a great heart-pumping-muscle-straining-aerobic-workout it gives me a healthier appetite than normal. Add to that it was Mothers' Day so a special meal was called for, any calories burned replaced and then some. Eaten outside though, which in mid-March is pretty wonderful. My patent kale-and-everything bruschetta, lentil salad with the remains of Friday's daube cut into it, a ripe tomato salad, roast chicken with potatoes done beneath it plus PSB fresh-picked, green salad to mop up the juices and bought in cheesecake to finish. Plus two half bots from Adnams. Would have needed to fell a whole tree and turn it into firewood to nullify that lot.