FISHING

1955

We decided to take a trip north to Mangonui and we booked into the local hotel for Alf, Sylvia and myself. Our son had other weekend arrangements.

It was a most enjoyable drive. The weather was perfect and the countryside so beautiful. Sylvia and I hadn’t been to Mangonui before but we had heard people speak very well of it, so we looked forward to our stay in great anticipation. The hotel was very old and interesting and our host and hostess were very friendly and welcoming.

Before dinner we had drinks at the bar where there were a number of deep sea fishermen relaxing and enjoying some social time together . They were very interested in Sylvia who was seventeen years old and very attractive so they all crowded around her. We all had fun and many laughs although I think the fact that Alf and I were there with Sylvia was rather offputting for the men.

After dinner, Sylvia said she would go to bed as she had a headache. Alf and I decided to stay a little longer and socialise. After a short time Sylvia came to me and said, “Mum, I think there’s someone in my bed”. So I went with her to investigate. We quietly opened the door and with the little light from outside which was lighting up the name of the hotel, I looked at the bed. There did seem to be someone in it! On approaching the bed very quietly and lifting the sheet, I could see that in fact there was no-one in the bed but that it had been stuffed with pillows to make it appear occupied. We laughed heartily and realised that the fishermen must have arranged it.

We had all been invited to go on a fishing trip with them the following day, so after breakfast we made our way down to the wharf. The men were waiting and quickly came to escort Sylvia to the boat. There were three or four boats docked beside each other and we were told we could clamour over the nearest boats to the one we were to go on, which was at the far edge.

Now Sylvia cannot take heights or moving objects of any kind because they make her sick and off balance. She was in favour of calling the trip off but the men would not hear of it and literally carried her onto the first boat then on to the next until they had her standing on their boat. Alf and I followed and I might add, were not helped!

Soon we were on our way. None of us had been fishing before so this was quite an experience for us. Before long I had something on my line and I was very excited. The men laughed and made a great show of bringing it in and as it got nearer the boat, I could see the fish in the water. It was a very small fish and I noticed it had wings, beautifully coloured and I got very excited. I had never seen a fish with wings before. I jumped up and down in great excitement and everyone was most amused. They took it off the hook and said they’d throw it back into the sea.

“Oh no” I said, “I want to take it home.” This really made the men laugh and that was when one man laughingly and said, “I must have a photograph of you with this fish.” They took the photo and I took the fish back to the hotel where amid much laughter, it was put into the fridge for me to take home. We had a really enjoyable week-end, and the men were glad to relax and have fun with us. I have not been fishing since that trip, but I remember it with much pleasure. I intend one day soon to return to the hotel and relive the experience.