Ballywalter Fishing Trip

Eric, a fellow National Trust volunteer, picked me up in his Land-Rover this morning at eight-thirty and we drove straight to the coastal village of Ballywalter in County Down, where his family has a holiday home. Craig and Anna met us there and we all helped to launch Eric's fishing-boat at the slip-way nearby.

We motored out towards Skullmartin rock and cast out the fishing-lines. Not a great deal to brag about, I'm afraid: two, smallish pollock caught. We stayed out for five hours; the weather was fine and there was a sea breeze. We'd all brought packed lunches, mine consisting of corned beef with salad-cream; followed by the favoured Tunnock's tea-cake.

We spotted several seals while we fished; they must have been somewhat bemused to watch our efforts at fishing.

On the way back towards terra firma, Craig suggested that we have a barbecue at Castle Ward on the evening of our trip to Salt Island on 28th June; most likely at Terinichol on the Estate.

It's the first time I've been out in a boat for ages.