Yeterday would have been Marinas birthday, so unsurprisingly she has been in my thoughts... Some years ago, Marina and I went to Llandrindod Wells, we went there to do some rustic out in the hill-billies camping. Find a good spot, pop up your tent, cook yer grub, maybe drink a little vino and there you are... (guitars optional). So we rock up to Clefnllees, find a nice level spot for the tent. We pitch up, sort out a good fire spot, sort the privy spot, hole dug, sorted. We rode into Llandrindod Wells (2 miles max) and visited the local supermarket.Marina went off wibbling about finding suitable stuff to BBQ on the fire, would I sort out a bottle of red ana bottle of white? So she went off. I grabbed a vacuum pack of rainbow trout and paid for it, then stuffed it into my inside jacket pocket. Dont tell my wife! Marina eventually sauntered back with this and that and goodies to eat, we paid, saddled-up and rode off counter-sunset back to cleffnllees (the spelling isnt important, anyway, you couldnt pronounce it so who cares?). We get back to the campsite. Marina starts to prepare the food. Do you mind if I take a little walk my dear? No, you go ahead, but be back in 20 minutes as the food will probably be ready. Righto Love... And off I go... So, I unpackage the trout, putting plastic into bins. I find stick and put trout strategically on stick. Then I wait.............. After about 20 minutes I pick up my stick wiv da fish and march back to camp. Marina was blown away. Oh my God, look at you, youve come back with freshly caught fish. You are the hunter, my wonderful brave man, that is so cool... etc... Obviously I was feeling on top of the world... However, I was starting to feel a little bit guilty. Marina kept going on about what a great hunter I was, was it difficult? Your arms mustve been so cold in the water, etc... Im so proud of you... We cooked up the trout, with, It must be realy difficult to tickle trout, wow, no-ones ever done that for me before, etc... I was starting to feel; like a complete c%nt, deceiving her like this... Eventually I decided that I had to tell her. We never had any secrets and here was I deceiving Marina, and I wasnt happy about it... Marina, theres something I have to tell you... No, no, I am so proud of you... No, you have to listen. Theres something I really need to tell you.../ No my Love. I want you to know how wonderful I feel that you would tickle and catch fish for me and you even gutted them too... Um, Marina, we need to talk... Im just amazed that you could catch rainbow trout in a river where only brown trout can survive... Bastard. She knew all along. Id been feeling guilty about stringing her along and as soon as she'd seen the rainbow trout, she knew. Bugger! It still makes me laugh... I miss her so much and she still makes me laugh and feel so bright...
