On the way to the Dove my mobile rang. It was Stu Johnson, or Skive as he’s better known, the reasons for which we won’t go into here as you don’t know who might be reading it (nudge, nudge, wink, wink).

“Sorry mate,” he said, “I’m stuck on the M6. Broke down. Bloody fuel leaking all over the motorway. I’m just waiting for the recovery people to come out to me. I’ll see you later if they can fix it or if I can get a hire car in time.”


Rik (before he got soaked) with his 9.9 Dove barbel (click for bigger picture)

That’s a good start, I thought. Poor old Stu, not been well lately so he could have done without that.

We met at the usual place, the Salt Box caf

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