A Gentle Reminder
Posted by uphilldowndale on Tuesday Jan 26, 2010Under country life, guest blogger, musings
I’ve never really understood why people go fishing, other than for food that is. I could never see the attraction. That was until I stumbled across this gentleman one December morning. I’d been rushing around only to find my services weren’t actually required. Suddenly I had a few hours in the day that were mine, so on the way home I took a detour and stopped by at the reservoir to see how things were looking in the morning light. It was cold and the gentleman was far more suitable dressed for the weather than I was, but the time I spent chatting to him has since made me realise, it’s not how, or why, you get your fix peace and tranquillity, all that matters is that you do. Of course I’m not the first to make such an observation, just that it is so easy to forget. Since that meeting I’ve often seen the gentleman, with his funny little car, parked next to the track that leads to the reservoir, unloading all his tackle for a mornings fishing. Seeing him always serves as a gentle reminder to me that there is more to life than rushing from A-B, so much more.
* Subscribe * 
* Become a fan! *
January 26th, 2010 at 3:58 am
Quite simply, thank you for this beautiful post. The image does indeed speak of a calm and quiet morning. Love the silhouetted fisherman and the ducks (geese) quietly swimming on the water in the perfect golden glow. Your quote eloquently sums everything up. How true!
January 26th, 2010 at 4:19 am
Your image is the perfect hand-in-glove fit for the Octavia Hill quote, UHDD. Your words are timely for any day when we get caught up in the tyranny of the urgent. One thing I have been amazed about here in Holland is how everyone tries to get outside to breathe the fresh air whenever possible, old and young alike. It’s in their blood. If Astrid doesn’t get outside, she becomes a crazy woman!
And I think it’s pretty special that you found another Hill! Are you related?
January 26th, 2010 at 4:21 am
Such a lovely reminder to stop..to breathe…to enjoy this moment. And what a beautiful image. Love the light..the silhouette..the quiet beauty. Thank-you for this!!!
January 26th, 2010 at 4:59 am
My husband and daughter are keen fisher persons and their very nature is to be quite lively and motivated. Seeing them fish together for the first time was a revelation! I was sure someone had body-snatched my pair and left the shells of two of the mildest, peaceful looking humans I had ever seen. I think this gentleman fisher had already found what my two found later.
A timely & Gentle reminder indeed UHDD and a lovely peaceful image!
Of course the quiet moments can be a little chaotic at times… especially when you land a big one! ;o)
http://daffy.wordpress.com/2008/05/02/gone-fishin/
January 26th, 2010 at 6:51 am
it is my birthday in a few weeks and to celebrate we are going ice fishing. soothes the soul it does.
January 26th, 2010 at 7:54 am
Nature therapy….
January 26th, 2010 at 7:55 am
Lovely, lovely, lovely!
January 26th, 2010 at 8:05 am
how lovely, your image makes me so nostalgic for all things england! it goes very well with some elgar playing in the background
. i’m trying to think what my african equivalent of ‘slowing down’ would be…sitting on the veranda looking at kili, yes that’s pretty good. i think all too often we forget to stop and slow down, take a deep breath. we should read your post at least once a week to remind ourselves 
January 26th, 2010 at 9:21 am
You so hit the nail on the head with ‘as a gentle reminder to me that there is more to life than rushing from A-B, so much more.’ So true…
January 26th, 2010 at 9:30 am
mmmm, that reminds me of beatrix potter — didn’t she donate her grounds to the national trust?
i remember reading anna quindlen’s commencement address to villanova a few times — it’s one of my favorite’s when she asks a homeless man why he chooses to remain homeless as she sits next to him on the ocean at coney island…”And he just stared out at the ocean and said, “Look at the view, young lady. Look at the view.”
And every day, in some little way, I try to do what he said. I try to look at the view. And that’s the last thing I have to tell you today, words of wisdom from a man with not a dime in his pocket, no place to go, nowhere to be.
Look at the view. You’ll never be disappointed.”
January 26th, 2010 at 10:08 am
what a beautiful photo. I’m so glad you took the initiative to talk to him — and look at the lovely message he was able to share with you. this I love.
January 26th, 2010 at 10:46 am
This is quite wonderful and much needed this morning. A still moment. Bless you.
January 26th, 2010 at 12:29 pm
stunning image! I do not understand fishing, i am to restless for it
January 26th, 2010 at 12:43 pm
I too don’t understand fishing, but I’ve never really done it. My sister has it on a list of things for me to do. She will have to take me, but not ice fishing! This is a beautiful reminder. Thank you!
January 26th, 2010 at 12:44 pm
I’m like you POBSB, I too don’t understand fishing, but I’ve never really done it. My sister has it on a list of things for me to do. She will have to take me, but not ice fishing! This is a beautiful reminder. Thank you!
January 26th, 2010 at 12:59 pm
Standing on ice! A frightening scenario as far as I’m concerned, mind, I’m no better with pontoons, dock sides, canal locks and quays, they all make me anxious, they have done since I was a child.
Thank you all for your kind words today, glad you’ve enjoyed the post.
January 26th, 2010 at 1:48 pm
oh gosh! i love his “funny little car” the Reliant Robin! made me smile it did
i know this feeling of peace and tranquility you speak of and i know it can be found in the world of nature quite easily… it is hard to understand why i have to be reminded and prompted to go and find it. so simple. so obvious. thank you for the image and your thoughts today 
January 26th, 2010 at 2:06 pm
Now I understand why my husband and kids love fishing so much. Thank you UDD for today’s reminder. I will take it with me.
January 26th, 2010 at 3:16 pm
The things I learn reading your posts. Reliant Robin! I like it.
January 26th, 2010 at 3:37 pm
Dropping that line into the water and waiting for the great “What If” is what gave my father his greatest delight. “To fish, perchance to dream.” Farmergal
January 26th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
The image perfectly illustrates one of life’s simple pleasures, although it’s not one that I’ve ever tried!
I love the quote that you end the post with, and with which I agree wholeheartedly! xx
January 26th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
A very good reminder indeed, Uhdd. So important to take time out to just be – be in the moment, be thankful, be aware, be still, be quiet, just be.
January 26th, 2010 at 4:18 pm
Fab picture, and post. I can easily see the appeal of fishing up to the point where you catch a fish – I love the tranquillity of it and so on. But if I actually caught a fish I’d panic!
January 26th, 2010 at 4:51 pm
Very peaceful. We could all do with that reminder that we need to to slow down and chill out from time to time
January 26th, 2010 at 9:50 pm
Beautiful picture! Love the tranquility! Thank you for sharing.
January 27th, 2010 at 6:59 pm
This on my fridge door.
Leisure
W.H. Davies
What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare?
No time to stand beneath the boughs,
And stare as long as sheep and cows.
No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.
No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.
No time to turn at Beauty’s glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.
No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.
A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
This is my first visit and I enjoyed it – will be back.