Dancing to Records

In Arcadia as in other districts it is the day known as New Year's Eve where, after a few light ales, and between the hours of 8pm and 1am there will be an outbreak of Dancing to Records.

A Day on the Kennet

Yesterday I found myself in the splendid company of my oldest fishing companions Mr. Graham Haworth and Mr. Steve Roberts at Speen Moors on the River Kennet.  In a strengthening North-Westerly we caught gudgeon, perch, pike and trout and watched the moon creep over the trees before retiring to drink Mr. Maggs' ale at the nearby Rising Sun Public House.

Looking for Tackle

A day to spend looking through old boxes for the right pieces of kit in preparation for a day's fishing on the River Kennet with Mr. Graham Haworth and Mr. Steve Roberts.

Redcar Beach Boxing Day Match

Once Upon a Time in Arcadia and most notably on Redcar Beach in the region known as the North-East anglers gathered on the foreshore to fish for cod in a Boxing Day Match.  In the photograph a young  John Richardson can be spotted wondering what the score is at Ayresome Park and whether they'll be any chips left at The Golden Grid.

An Efgeeco Christmas

Across Arcadia, canvas stockings and old keepnets are being emptied with much excitement as the kettle is boiled for another pot of tea and presents put under the tree in the year known as 1962 are opened.

Shadows and Reflections

Today in Arcadia as in other areas it is Christmas Eve and for all those of you finding yourselves at a loose end or in need of something to read over a pot of tea my Shadows and Reflections of the Year known as 2011 have been posted at  Caught by the River.

A Ghost Carp for Christmas

Advent in Arcadia draws to a close with a mounted Skeleton of a Carp by T. Gerrard & Company of Angmering and London.   To be found in the room known as  'Just in, Sir'.

Angler's World

Once Upon a Time in Arcadia, and notably on a Thursday in the year known as 1964, ladies and gentlemen in Arcadia would hurry to their nearest tobacconist or newsagent to collect their Christmas issue of Angler's World Magazine.  There, on pages 37-40 they would find their 'Christmas Shopping Guide'.

Unfortunately, in the year 2011 there is no Angler's World Magazine and those ladies and gentlemen in need of guidance whilst performing their Christmas shopping are advised that they may visit me today, Thursday 22nd December, at my stall in Spitalfields Antiques Market where between the hours of a half past seven and approximately three o'clock I shall be selling small items of Vintage Fishing Tackle for the Soul and for the Stocking.

Harcork Barrel Floats

To be found proceeding downstream or in an anti clockwise direction round a backwater millpool in Arcadia with a live minnow suspended beneath a quantity of Harcork Barrel Floats in the orange livery.  Can be viewed at 'Old Friends'.

Harcork Sunrise

Advent continues with a gang of perch floats resplendent in a Harcork sunrise over Arcadia.  It can be seen  in the 'Old Friends' room of my website www.andrewsofarcadia.com.

Harcork in Arcadia

Once Upon a Time in Arcadia and especially during the period known as Advent these Large Harcork Floats may have gone under.  They can now be found in the 'Old Friends' room on my website.

Vessel of Souls

In kitchens across Arcadia, both field and home, tin mugs of Victory Gin and Stewed Tea are raised in thanks to all the Intrepids who came and knocked on the door of 5 Little Portland Street, London W1,  yesterday and over the last three Saturdays to visit myself and the Empress of Arcadia at The Social Christmas Market.  We enjoyed your gracious company immensely. Flags are raised to our hosts at The Social and especially Mr. Carl Gosling, Dre and the crew behind the bar who worked tirelessly to quench the thirsts of the many.

Festival of Tin at The Social Christmas Market

This afternoon, Saturday 17th December, the last Social Christmas Market will take place at The Social, No. 5 Little Portland Street in the district of London known as W1.  I shall be stalling out alongside The Empress of Arcadia and her flock of sequinned birds, with a one-off Andrews of Arcadia Festival of Tin.  Upon my metal table top will be a multitude of items of Vintage Fishing Tackle for the Soul made from tin and other metals.  You are invited to come and browse and even spend vast sums of cash between the hours of 1pm and 6.  The bar will be open serving Pale Ale, Hot Mulled Wine & Cider whilst Rose's Kentish Kitchen will feed you when you are hungry.  Caught by the River will be in attendance with their mobile shop as will the Heavenly Records Emporium and the artists Nobrow.  We all look forward to finding ourselves in your company.

Abu Record in Advent

Advent in Arcadia continues at the glazed tackle shop counter known as 'Just in, Sir' on my website with a 1960 Abu Record 1550, in its original box with accompanying paperwork.  The reel was bought at auction and had once been the property of a gentleman traveller who had fished both in Sweden and in Japan in the early 1960's.

Lost Shoal at Spitalfields

Once Upon a Time in Arcadia ladies and gentlemen would have taken an hour or perhaps more, upon a Thursday, to visit their local Fishing Tackle Dealer and buy Christmas Presents for those Living Souls known as friends and relatives.  You may also do this by visiting me at my stall in Spitalfields Antiques Market where today and next Thursday I will be glad to furnish you with boxed items of Vintage Fishing Tackle such as these small shoals of Devon Minnows found in the drawer of a Lost Fishing Tackle Shop on the western fringes of Arcadia.

Yesterday in Arcadia

A long but delightful day in Arcadia yesterday which began long before dawn with the last Kempton of the year in gale force winds and squalls of rain and ended with a magnificent performance by the artists Trevor Moss and Hannah-Lou at the former Bingo Parlour known as The Bush Hall where they were playing support to the band Cherry Ghost.  It was an occasion celebrated by another fine piece of letterpress printing by a hand of someone you may recognise, Mr. Martin Clark of Tilley Printing.  Throughout the morning and evening styrofoam cups of December tea and glasses of Harveys Ordinary were raised in good health and remain so today.

Abu Record Penknife

Advent in Arcadia continues in the 'Just in, Sir' wing of my website, where today the item of Vintage Fishing Tackle for the Soul is a rare Abu Record Penknife complete with a festive scene of a gentleman fishing in the country known as Sweden.