Third and final coach trip of the year and it was down to Tunnel Barn Farm a fishery we hadn't visited for two years.
Twenty anglers duly arrived at our pick up points, loaded all the gear on the coach and first stop was breakfast at The Truckers Rest just off junction 12 of the A5. We were fed as promptly as ever, those that needed a ciggy break stood outside gasping while others finished their food. I was then back on the coach for the final leg of the journey. On the way coach driver Colin took out a pidgeon who ytied to cross our path without success. Coach 1 Pidgeon 0.
We finally arrived at the fishery having to use the back entrance for the coach due to it's size. Of course using the phrase 'back entrance' caused sniggers of laughter from the guys on the coach! At the gates we were met by a member of staff in a golf buggy who escorted us through the maze of roads to our stopping point just adjacent to our pool for the day 'Extension Pool'.
The next half hour was spent unloading the coach, buying any additional bait required and completing the draw. We were advised by TBF staff that we may as well fish until 4pm as by that time many of the cars will have left and the coach would be able to get out, either that, or we sit on the coach for thirty minutes, so we decided to fish (of course). The match eventually turning into a five and a half hour match running from 10.30 - 4.00. Recipient of today's Golden Peg was Neil Pritchard. The weather was reasonably pleasant with a light breeze, grey skies and an air temperature of about seventeen degree's. We had no rain so that was a bonus.
Has to be said the fishing was pretty good although patchy in places. One highlight of the day was our driver Colin skinny dipping after the all-out to retrieve a section of his pole, well he is a scouser, so we wasn't surprised (no Scouser was harmed during this process).
The match concluded with no major incident other than Colin's swim, the results you can see below, well done to all who fished and hard luck to Neil P who suffered the curse of the Golden Peg.
As this was the final coach trip we also had our pairs match, the pairs being drawn out of a bag on the journey down, and again, you can see those results below.
After loading the coach we headed back up North stopping one junction up the motorway to have our tea. We stopped at the Greville Arms in Solihull which is a sizzler pub and has really good food at a reasonable price along with decent ale (Brew XI a good Midland pint). At 7.30pm our driver dragged us kicking and screaming from the pub. Fully refreshed it was off home and by 10.15pm that's exactly where we were.
We now have only one Summer match which is at Bradshaw Hall in one week's time. That will be another season complete and our Presentation Night looms shortly after that.
So that's it for now.
See you all soon......Tightlines.....
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