Funtley Pit.

[Moley]

Fatty was sitting at the kitchen table scoffing a bag of Frazzles, waiting for a batch of pies to cool down, when the phone rang. It was the Ancient Mariner, who having got over his hissy fit at Abshot, was chuntering on about Funtley Brick Pit, located at the small town of, wait for it, wait for it......Funtley!

Matron realising it was the Ancient Mariner shouted in best Waffen Traditions 'Take the Fat Fool out this afternoon' make it so!

Not do so could result in as they say, a lashing or a bashing or both

Any way it would be rude, if not downright dangerous, not to obey. The pies would be cool enough by midday but to err on the side of caution a meeting time of 1300hrs at Funtley was agreed upon by all concerned. Even the Beast knows not to argue about pie timings with her Fat Spouse, probably the only thing he will not back down upon......ever!!!

Setting off at 1230hrs with the pies suitably cooled for their inevitable fate of being scofffed, esconced in a tin on the front seat and held safely in place with a seat belt, all was as it should be in Mole World. Even the journey was interesting as Fatty was exploring the validity of some back roads to the venue.

Arriving in good order and parking to the PDSA instructions Fatty was in a good mood as the pies were looking good, so much so one was scoffed before leaving the car, just to test them you know.....this one passed with flying colours.

A quick look at the old brick pit confirmed that one end was deeper than the other, with the deeper end, up to 20ft in places, looking the more appealing. The swim chosen also had numerous fish topping in it, so whilst standing looking at the water absent mindedly, pie in hand and then in stomach soon after, this state of Nirvana was rudely interrupted by an old gimp with his Dog, moaning loudly about the parking and life in general.

The Ancient Mariner, il est arrivee!

Swims chosen, it was time for the Fatter of the pair to set up his newly acquired Allcock's Benny Ashurst 12ft Golden Trent Match Rod in combo with a small waggler and Daiwa 125 closed face reel, loaded with 4lb line in anticipation of fish larger than roach. Pellets were the bait of choice.

The AM set up two ledger rods, semi bolt rigged with corn on the hook.

Fatty was happy sitting watching his float, holding the rod in one hand and delicious pie in the other......bliss. Only to be interrupted by this fellow blustering on the line......



For the more observant the rod in the picture belongs to the AM. In mitigation the reel is a Mitchell 408. Fatty had to take the fish round to his swim for pictures as somebody was sulking......AGAIN.

Followed soon after by this fellow who actually made Fatty put his pie down, carefully mind.......



Short and fat, no not the Mole, this male was just shy of six pounds. As a direct result slurping tea and bad singing was the result

The Mariner, on yet another blank, was not happy and decided it was time for home....oh well!

What is it with Matron encouraging Fatty to go fishing.....ulterior motive for nefarious goings on......nope the Beast has decided that short fishing sessions are a reward for hard work; Happy Days

As ever,....

Moley

[Wallyboy Rob]

Well done Mr Mole, there used to be double figure Tincas in Funtley along with the old works hut, a truck and assorted snags.

As an aside, the bricks from there were used to build the Albert Hall.... Fareham reds.

Not long now until the Mole hills start appearing along the Wally, I doubt if AM will blank there

[GarryProcter]

Fine tench Moley - are there any err... ...how shall I put it, smaller, more refined fish in there (you know, the ones that look like tiny barbel)?

[Dave Burr]

Another fascinating day in the life of Moley.

[Liphook]

Nice tench there Moley but please tell me more about these pies of yours

[Wallyboy Rob]

This is Funtley lake many years ago
(Picture courtesy of Keston) surprisingly there is someone fishing there

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[Carp Artist]

Well done Moley a splendid brace of Tinca's sir. How many pies? 3 or maybe 4

[Moley]

Well done Mr Mole, there used to be double figure Tincas in Funtley along with the old works hut, a truck and assorted snags.

As an aside, the bricks from there were used to build the Albert Hall.... Fareham reds.

Not long now until the Mole hills start appearing along the Wally, I doubt if AM will blank there

Good information there Rob about the pit and Fareham Reds.........I don't suppose you know how may holes it takes to fill the Albert Hall as someone far more intellectual mused upon this point.

Be in no doubt, Fatty is looking forward to getting on the Wally as it is small rivers where his Passion for Angling doth lie, and of course the fish it contains.

By the way great pics of the place before it filled with water.

Fine tency Moley - are there any err... ...how shall I put it, smaller, more refined fish in there (you know, the ones that look like tiny barbel)?

Not sure if the mighty Gonk does reside in Funtley Garry but rest assured they will feature strongly once Fatty gets on the rivers again.

Another fascinating day in the life of Moley.

A day in the life......wasn't that a famous song alluded to in my question to Rob. As for the Mole life it mostly consists of slurping tea at home or whilst fishing, making pies and then scoffing them whenever the opportunity presents itself, annoying Matron , firing pellets at the Ancient Mariner, fishing in its many guises and singing badly

Nice tench there Moley but please tell me more about these pies of yours

The pies made by Fatty are mostly Pork Pies or Steak and Kidney or varieties thereof should the mood take etc. The reason Fatty bakes his own is because shop purchased varieties just don't cut it, especially with due regard to the contents which seem dubious at best. Only the finest pies for the Mole.....oh yes!

Well done Moley a splendid brace of Tinca's sir. How many pies? 3 or maybe 4

In this instance 4 but has been as many as six or possibly more. Personally it is Mole belief that pies when scoffed and loudly enjoyed, attracts fish and all manner of wild life to the swim including the odd Ancient Mariner and his dog who are always on the scrounge.

Hopefully this answers most if not all the questions and always happy to do so

As ever,....

Moley

[Liphook]

I would vote for the inclusion of a TFF pie section Moley
Traditional only mind none of these modern excuses that don't even have a lid!

[Moley]

I would vote for the inclusion of a TFF pie section Moley
Traditional only mind none of these modern excuses that don't even have a lid!

Fatty is often to be found drooling over the Pie pictures in the Foreman & Field Catalogues, the Hairy Bikers' Perfect Pies and Tom Kerridge's Proper Pub Food.

Even as a youngster, whilst most idiots were looking at porn and the like, Fatty was gawping at cooking books with pies in. One of the true highlights of his life was to help a great French Baker from Ste Maxime, at his invitation, to see how to and actually cook pies for sale next day in his kitchen the night before.....Fatty was actually invited back several times.

What a learning curve that was

Can't have been that bad as he wanted to employ me.....you see pies are an international language. Who'd of thought the food obsessed French liked Pork Pies.

They must have as all the ones made sold like, well......Hot Pies!!!

It's not just Fatty then.

A pie combined with slurping tea, a bit of fishing and bad singing......brilliant Does it get any better than this?

Even a well known Commercial Baker and collector/writer about London Poles thought Fatty's Pies were good, spending time discussing the intricacies of such delights rather than talk about fishing....what a sensible man!

Fatty's signature on this very site, at the bottom of the page sums it up nicely.

As ever,......

Moley