Early morning on the campsite, everything is neat, tidy, and ready for the day ahead. It’s my favourite time of the day, when the campsite is peaceful and quiet, before everyone wakes up and the inevitable chaos begins. With a fresh brew in hand, I get the fire pit going and spend a little time chopping wood for later. The morning air is cool and still, with only the sound of birdsong breaking the silence. Soon it will be time to get breakfast on, but for now I’m simply enjoying the calm and soaking up the atmosphere. After breakfast, a lovely walk up nearby Merlin’s Hill is on the agenda. The views from the top are always worth the effort and provide the perfect start to another day of camping. Moments like these are what camping is all about—slowing down, enjoying the outdoors, and making the most of the simple pleasures in life. 🌞🔥☕🥾
I would like to give a brief snap shot of my life and introduce myself;
My name is Richard Handel and was born in 1965 in Suffolk. I have worked as a UK Operation & Intermodule Manager for a shipping company. I live in Hampshire now and am married with 2 young children, both girls so I am a bit outnumbered even the cat is a girl!
I have been fishing since I was about 7 years old. I started on small local rivers in Suffolk, then moved onto gravel pits and then carp fishing. My personal best is a 39.08 mirror, over recent years I have started river fishing again, on the Hampshire Avon, this is a nice break from the carp lakes.
My life has turned a big corner this year, the company I was working for relocated their Operation centre to Estonia. I was offered a job at the head office in London. This would have meant a 5 day commute and working in Stratford. As a family, we did not fancy this, as I would hardly spend any time with the children (and the Mrs). So after 22.5 years, I was given a nice redundancy package and with my wife is working full time. I became the house husband.
This has meant a complete turn around in my fishing, as I can pick and choose when I go. I have found a splendid new syndicate to fish this year, which includes 5 lakes and some 8 miles of river with only 150 members. It's an amazing change to the way I am able to fish.
I am now trying to start my own tackle business and make a bit of a name for myself in the world of fishing, as I have retired from real work.
Richard
UK Carp & Coarse Fishing 