Good Friday, sunny and in the middle of the school holidays. Nevertheless, I couldn’t keep away from the river. The river looked perfect and I expected to catch.

The top of the Beat, above the dead tree, failed to produce a trout but I was content to sit in the sun and watch the river. Olives were hatching everywhere and a crow hassled a buzzard above the tree tops.

The middle of the Beat was occupied by several families sitting on the short grass with a picnic. The young children were perfectly behaved until I started to explore a long pool. Then the rock throwing started.

I unlocked the gate at the lower part of the Beat and looked for the bronze plaque on the Major’s rock. As usual, I couldn’t find the memorial. There were no intruders. The pool was wide, deep and flowing evenly but it also failed to produce a take. I was hot and tired, it was time to retrace my steps.

The drive out of the valley was interesting, The Defender rattled and banged it’s way up the rocky track and delivered me safely back on tarmac. A wonderful morning beside the river.