Taking the plunge

Until the 11th of February 2008 I had a proud boast - that of never having got wet by slipping into the water. Until then the worst I had was a wet boot by going over the top in water that was too deep. Oh how spectacularly this was to end!

At one of my favourite pegs at Partridge Lakes in Cheshire I had risen from my fishing box to stretch my stiff old legs and go for a walk down the bank to chat to a fellow fisherman I know. On returning to the peg I tripped over my landing net handle and entered the water in spectacular fashion - head first. Not one person laughed (at the time) but somehow I wished they had. Everyone seemed concerned for my welfare, which goes to show the measure of my fellow members on the Gold Lake. There I stood - a pathetic bedraggled specimen. Even if they weren't laughing I had to chuckle myself.

On returning home, my better half took one look at me and told me to go have a bath while she sorted out my wet clothes. Some moments later I heard her howl in laughter - she had found a packet of chewing gum in my shirt pocket, and unbelievably is was called "SPLASH"