I popped along to a local lake last Saturday and had an enjoyably fishless few hours, enjoying the fresh air (and it was fresh!) and the solitude, alone with nothing but my thoughts for company (well, for a while at least - I'll update my journal with the other details...)
As I packed up to go, swung my basket onto my back and turned to check the swim was clear of rubbish, I noticed a large item I'd left behind, it was my basket!
Closer inspection showed that the strap, which had been attached with a bolt at either end had decided to be attached no more
Gathering the bits together, I managed to bodge it all up to get back to the car, popped it into the railway carriage which doubles as my fishing den, and got on with the weekend.
Come Monday, we popped down to Highclere Castle in Berkshire for their annual country fair, and met with Steve (TraditionalAngling), from whom I purchased a lovely creel.
Looking at the strap gave me an idea on how to repair mine - I purchased two metres of canvas webbing from the internet, salvaged an old belt from the "doesn't really fit any more" pile (last worn in the late 1980's, so pretty much in keeping with most of my fishing kit) and borrowed Mrs. B's sewing machine to stitch it all together
Popped it through the holes in the side of the basket, and viola! All sorted for the cost of the webbing - about three quid!
Steve did kindly offer to make one for me, but I always prefer to be self-sufficient if possible, and I'm delighted with how it's turned out - from the outside you'd never know that a large part of the strap held my trousers up through more dodgy holidays than I'd care to (or, if I'm being honest, can) remember!
Spike, the Workshop Dog seems to approve
