Good Evening.

I am ready to go and raring to leave. I have just punched my destination into my sat nav and it says it is 723km to reach it. The only thing preventing this at the moment is the postal service. I am still waiting for three items to turn up. Frustrating is the only word to describe it. Fishing at this time of year may not be everyone’s cup of tea and some of you may actually think I am barking mad, but, I can not wait to get to Italy, get things sorted out down there, and begin fishing. I am fully equipped to cope with bad weather, in fact I relish these kind of conditions, as there is nothing better than being comfortable and snug inside your fishing house when it is blowing a gale outside!

Some of you may be thinking “Just go!” I want to believe me, but I actually need these vital products for the kind of fishing I will be doing and the other item is an important piece of paper I have to sign and send back to the UK. Fisherman are funny creatures I guess? We manage to display amazing patience when fishing, but when waiting to actually go fishing, then our patience is really put to the limit!! I am trying not to think about it too much and keeping myself busy. I am using the free time I have to service some of my equipment that I never get the chance to do when I am actually fishing. For example: my fishing reels are getting a strip down, clean, and are being re greased. My Coleman triple burner cooker has had a thorough clean and service. All of my equipment is being checked, cleaned, and packed and repacked. I keep looking out for the postman, but a watched kettle never boils.

The lake destination was punched in earlier to remind myself that I am actually going somewhere soon! I was given several choices of route - fast, short and main road, and toll roads on and off. On main roads without tolls the distance was well over 1000km, and on the fast route with tolls - the distance was 723km. Bearing in mind I am on a budget, which one do I take? With a heavily loaded van and trailer I always think you are better going for the shorter distance with tolls and I will explain why. Firstly I will have to travel another 300 odd kilometres with the alternative route which means another half tank of diesel, and secondly those 300 kilometres could be through villages and up winding steep hills, causing my speed to be inconsistent and requiring more braking. People often curse toll roads but when you weigh up the difference in journey time, the fewer kilometres, and the reduced fuel costs, I often think the toll fees make these factors worthwhile. The fast toll roads mean you travel at a constant speed and again this saves you fuel from not having to stop-start all through your journey at traffic lights and countless roundabouts. I may end up paying a little more by the end of the journey, but, I will arrive earlier and be less tired from the longer more stressful drive. Consider tolls if you haven’t used them before and if you don’t think it makes a difference or it’s worth it, you can always go back to the free roads.

I have been sent a small survey from Newcastle University which if you have time I would like you to complete online. It will only take a few minutes and I am sure they would really appreciate it if you could spare them a few minutes. It is about carp and coarse fishing and who knows? Your results may make a difference somewhere down the line.

Click on Survey to go to the website and fill it in online.

I have to admit I am finding it difficult to write anything at the moment. I really need to be fishing to be motivated enough to write and if for one minute you think I am sat in a warm hotel room then think again!! I am bivvied up and myself and the dogs retire to the bivvy at the end of the day, and sleep. My gas heater keeps us warm and that is the only choice I have when I am not fishing at any place I visit. Sleep under the stars, sleep across the seats in my van, or bivvy up. I may be staying at Gigantica whilst I wait to leave, but I don’t get any preferential treatment and there is no roof over my head other than the bivvy type! As you can all probably imagine I would much rather be bivvied up at a lake and have the rods out. Fingers crossed it will be soon.

I will be back with one more post from France.

Cheers

Jake and the dogs.