In the warm summer months I like few things better than a day by the river fishing. It's wonderful to be out off the beaten track in some glorious countryside, sitting back in the sun, drinking a few beers and the occasional sport with a fish. Quite frequently you don't see another person all day.
I had been by the riverside since dawn and the day had blossomed into a hot sunny perfect summer's day, perfect for relaxing and sipping beer but not so good for fishing and the sport had gone very quiet. Today I had decided to get away from it all and chosen a spot where I knew there would be no passers-by, way out in the countryside. So it was a surprise when I thought I could hear the sound of human voices.
I listened for a while and most definitely I could hear several voices, laughter and the unmistakeable swish of paddles in the water. I knew what that would be, now and again in the summer you get groups paddling down the river in open top Indian Canoes and sure enough 3 canoes appeared around the upstream bend in the river. I don't mind these fellow river users at all and often have a joke and banter with them as they pass by.
I watched as they drew closer and realised this group was all female, 3 women in each canoe, scantily clad because of the heat of the day and obviously really enjoying their little adventure. I am always considerate of others so I decided to reel my line in until the group had passed by, but they seemed to be slowing down, and sure enough paddling across the river to a little sandy bank a little upstream from where I was sat. The three canoes and their occupants beached up and they got out and scrambled up the bank.
It is very unusual to meet others this far away from roads and easy parking and It was obvious they would be unaware of my presence so I decided to get up and wander over to say 'hello' and make them aware I was there.
I made my way through the bushes and up the bank and at a reasonable distance I shouted out 'hello', so they knew I was there and wandered over to explain to them I was fishing on the river a little downstream and didn't want to startle them.
They were a friendly bunch and soon we were chatting and I was answering questions about the river further downstream and their ultimate destination. I was offered a beer, which was gratefully accepted. Fishing had become very quiet so the unexpected company was a light relief. It wasn't long before the sun and beer had its effect, I had already had a few, and so I explained that I needed to pop into the bushes for a pee.
I got up to make my way towards the nearest bit of undergrowth. There was some mutterings amongst the group which I couldn't make out, and then one of them spoke up. 'Wait, do it here, right here where we can all see'.
I froze in my tracks. 'What? You can't be serious, you're joking right? '