Friday, August 24, 2007




Sometimes, we went on holiday to the west coast of Scotland where the islands are called Rum, Muck and 'Egg'! Once, Daddy took me fishing. I had never been fishing before.


Just when I was sure that there would be no fish, there was a tugging on my line and Daddy was shouting and laughing at me to pull it in. Huge, ugly, flopping and flipping - I just wanted a goldfish. "Get it away. Put it out." But I did catch it. Me, not Daddy.

On the way home, something was not right. Daddy was worried and rowing as hard as he could. I didn't have a turn of the oars. I sat, silent and small in the bottom of the boat. When we got back, Mummy was on the beach, packing up the baby and the green rug.

8 comments:

Penny said...

Alison I love this, one always feel so clever but yes a fish in a boat is rather frightening. I always caught a fish and was promptly sea sick which never went down well.
Do you know when you will be coming to Adelaide? Looking forward to it.
How is your mother?

Tami said...

Alison, I think this one may be the best drawings...Not sure, never can decide...but I have got to know the rest of the story..WHAT WAS WRONG???? Ya can't leave your following hanging...

Alison said...

Tami, it would have been summer with long light evenings so dark would not have been a problem but maybe bad weather was coming and I think there was a strong current against us. I expect Mum was worried and was waiting for us on the beach.But the child doesn't really 'get' these things - just feels the mood.

Peceli and Wendy's Blog said...

Hey, and what happened next? Looks like we have to wait for the next episode! As a child you would be observing your Dad with an unaccustomed worried look. The story certainly stuck in your mind. Large fish - yeah, must have been frightening. Your Mum in some kind of panic hurrying up on the shore.
w.

ElizT said...

You wouldn't want to get caught in one of those maelstrom things! [As in the old movie, I know Where I'm Going] Lovely drawing, especially the one of your Daddy.

Jana Bouc said...

I my gosh! A cliff-hanger! What happened next? Great moody drawings and the fish is just perfect. Oh, I see you wrote it was bad weather maybe. That's what I guessed too.

That fishing thing is a real shocker. When my more sensitive son went on a men's group camping trip with a friend of mine and he caught a fish they told him, "Now you have to kill it by hitting it on the head." He refused to do it and they told him he'd have no dinner if he didn't kill the fish. He still refused and went hungry. He's never fished again (though he still enjoys camping and backpacking but now he brings all his food).

Claudia said...

Very good, Alison!-I enjoy seeing and reading your memories!

Claudia said...

P.S.:
Tonight, I read your other blog and just want to tell you that it is fabulous, too! Your sketches are amazing. Keep up the good work!