From The Mouths of Babes

I am married to a remarkable woman who has spent the last thirty years studying metaphysics and spirituality. Our house is graced by hundreds of books by pioneers like Emerson, Thoreau, Troward, Holmes, Goldsmith and Tolle. I examine the library and think that If I had not had the dormant seed of enlightenment within me, I would have been spun off years ago ... like a pea on a centrifuge! But the seed was there ... and it is flourishing. It manifests in so many unexpected ways.

Yesterday, I was walking in the town of Warwick as I do every day. I was accosted by a young man, my antenna immediately suspecting his questioning. 'Do you live round here?' he asked looking at me benignly. I was reluctant to answer. 'In the neighbourhood, yes.'
'Well, I wonder if you could help me? I'm trying to start a small window cleaning business. It's hard going but I don't want to rely on the state and am determined to succeed. Do you know if people in this street have a regular cleaner? I'm a big believer in positive thinking. Have you ever heard of that? You have! Amazing! All my mates think I'm weird thinking about such things but it all makes sense. I've been reading the thoughts of a dude called Confucius. Ever heard of him?'

The young man in question had a sheaf of home produced flyers, a bucket and sponge and nothing else. For now he possesses no transport or ladders ... but he is standing tall and is determined to succeed.

Evensong

Lore and I attended the evensong service in the ancient church of St. Mary's, Warwick on Sunday evening. Although the congregation was sparse, the atmosphere was intensely atmospheric, the lilting, angelic voices of the choir drifting to heaven above the candlelight.

It was an interlude for stillness and reflection - time taken out from the hubbub of modern life to draw spirtual breath and ponder. In an age of instant gratification, the experience was anchoring and connecting, a clergman reminding us that such simple services of song and short prayer have been a feature of worship at St. Mary's for over 700 years.

Our attendance set our compass on course for Christmas.

Image of New Book Cover

Here's my Press Here Books logo and the front cover image for my new book

Press Here Books - New Publication

In an era when bookshops are closing and publishers are committing hari- kari, my fledgling small press is doing rather nicely, motivated entirely by the passion to see my own work and the work of others in print. Press Here Books latest venture 'Where's Teddy?', a bedtime story book for small children is just out. The author is delighted that a collection of watercolours that have gathered dust in a drawer for 12 years are now printed and bound and reading to grace the Santa sacks of her grandchildren.

The maxim I've adopted for my venture is:

WORDS ARE THE KEYS TO THE UNIVERSE - LET US HOT-FORGE YOURS.

I've not advertised, although I shall organise a webpage before too long - all my commissions to date coming from personal recommendations - most indisputably the finest route for any business.

I always seek to align myself with the mysterious force that shapes all our destinies, positivity and expectancy attracting people and happenings into my life that enrich and reward.

All very exciting!

I'm currently working on a new book on Yorkshire humour and would welcome advance orders?

Dovedale Delights

The weather Gods smiled on us this weekend when we visited glorious Dovedale in Derbyshire. At 66 years of age, I set myself a challenge, arranging a hectic programme of walking and cycling for myself and two relatives - Tom and Lee - both half my age.

We stayed in the romantic Izaak Walton Hotel in the shadow of Thorp Cloud - a diminutive pimple of a mountain around 600 feet high. After breakfast we walked north along the river enjoying the scenery and the palette of rich autumnal tints, our conversations sparkling like the river. Crossing Viator's Bridge in Milldale, we continued bankside and entered the wilder Wolfscotedale, passing the most hallowed spot for anglers in the world - the Pike Pool below the heights where the ghosts of Beresford Hall still roam. I pointed out Charles Cotton's still surviving but reclusive Fishing House in the sward by the river. And lunch in Hartington before returning to the hotel.

Ravenous like trout in May after fifteen miles of energetic walking, we scoured the dinner menu for sustenance appropriate for mountain men. But what did we find? Descriptions of sweetmeats and confections that had the stomach groaning. We ordered with trepidation and received a most colourful assemblage of what once had been pure, unadulterated and unmolested food, now contorted, twisted and skillfully manipulated, the ensemble resembling some gaudy abstract painting. Wary trout, instantly realising that these flashy baubles were pure artifice, would have spat them out but men of decorum, we munched (very briefly) eyeing with covetous glances the plump fish in the glass cases that adorned the walls. 

Next day, after twenty five miles cycling on the Tissington Trail we eschewed the gimcracks of the hotel restaurant and gorged on three big fat juicy beefsteaks ... with chips!

Despite offering the two lads (pictured) lashings of Yorkshire Puddings and copious helpings of bangers and mash (just like Peter Seller's mother used to make) they high-tailed it back home with me waiting on the shores of Carsington Reservoir alone to complete the final event in the triathlon. They wouldn't even hold my towel!     

Izaak Walton in his parlour

Here's an image of the author of the original Compleat Angler sat in the parlour of his farmhouse near Stafford, England. The farmhouse is now the Izaak Walton Museum.

I'm just developing my blogging skills and will expand this spot to include all things angling including my own very persoanl ideas about the sport.

This weekend, I'm travelling to the Izaak Walton Hotel in Dovedale and staying for two nights to enjoy bicycling on the Tissington Trail with my son and a walk up the fabulous Dovedale taking in the old fishing house first erected by Charles Cotton, the co-author of the fifth edition of the Complaet Angler.

The IW Hotel sells IW bitter ale! Have some of that!

Alle Brave! 

(A Danish toast to anglers) 

Tight Lines Update

Copies of my book The Complete Angler are selling reasonably well despite me swimming welll  clear of the Amazonian sharks who want an arm and a leg to sell it!

I've just discovered that a translated version of the Compleat Angler was published in Denmark during the war under the noses of the German occupiers. Izaak Walton published his book in 1653 in similar circumstances  during the English Commonwealth after the Civil War and Danish patriots were inspired to do the same. I've sent a copy of my book to the Danish Angling Association and in fraternity they've invited me to Denmark to wet a line.

Old Izaak would be pleased.

Do get in touch if you want a copy @lenmarkham@hotmail.com

Making Waves

Reaction to my highly original book - The Complete Angler - has been largely positive and encouraging but one reader has suggested that the revelation about The Father of Angling's modern thoughts on the sport might upset and outrage traditionalists. But I'm all for creating a splash if it means a trout throws its hook! But time will tell.

I'm hoping the book will generate sizeable revenues to enable the UK's first angling museum to be set up under the auspices of the Izaak Walton League Cottage Chapter. I also would like to organise a symposium in 2013 on the theme of watercourse and environment protection, the proceedings culminating in a charity auction of fishing paraphenalia donated by individuals and companies. Any offers? The climax of the auction will be the sale of a paper replica pike made by renown artist Joyanne Horscroft of the Makerie Studios. The pike which will be based on the beast that was caught (and returned!) by Izaak Walton during our odyssey, will be mounted in a glass case and signed by its captor. A unique fish indeed! I'm looking for prestige sponsorship for the work to begin?

Now that my book's finished (and its prospects offered up to serendipity and a few friends in high places!), I'm at somewhat of a loose end although I find myself - for the eighth time in ten years - packing to move to pastures new - a 300 year old cottage on a hill with long distance views of the Warwickshire countryside.

I've got a bramble knotted plot to contend with but recent reading has sparked my interest in John Muir who is regarded as the Father of National Parks worldwide. I'd love to adopt the same approach to getting to know this remarkable man as I did in making friends with Izaak Walton and Charles Cotton. Perhaps a visit to Muir's beloved High Sierra might be possible? Like IW and CC, he might get a Seven Day Celestial Pass to escort me round!

I'm planning a trip to walk the South West Coast Path with my lifelong friend Bernard who flies in from Australia in June.

Also busy packing!

Of the 34 books I've had published to date, The Complete Angler has been the most enjoyable to produce and I've been involved in every aspect of its production from conception to publication. It's creation has been powered by something beyond the the commercial imperatives normally associated with book publishing and its genesis has been immensely rewarding.

The book distribution and selling business is an extremely competitive one, the lions share of profits gobbled up by the big players leaving only scraps for authors like me. But I've reaped a bigger reward, leaving sales and promotion to my two companions!

In researching the book, I've been led to the works of metapysical writers like John Muir, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau - blessings more valuable than royalties. And these guides on my own spiritual journey are leading me on a converging path with that taken by my wife who has studied metaphysics all her life, two of her favourite authors being Joel S Goldsmith and Eckhart Tolle.

I'll explore more of thses blessings in the days ahead.

The Complete Angler

I recently lived for a year by the River Dove in Derbyshire, my frequent walks by the river inspiring me to think about one of the most regularly published books in the English language. The Compleat Angler by Izaak Walton was first published in 1653 and is still in print. A contribution on fly fishing was made to the fifth edition by Walton's young friend Charles Cotton in 1687.

I began to wonder why a book that was technically out of date shortly after leaving the press still exerted a massive influence ... so I read it and followed the paths described in the book ... every one, in London, the Home Counties and Derbyshire, feeling that the two original authors were with me and guiding my every step!

So I've written a book following the original dialogue style format, we three companions discussing the appeal of The Compleat Angler and the nature of a good life.

The walking, the research and the writing have been high adventure and I have revelled in the every aspect of the book's production. But no mainstream publisher would touch it ('it's not comercial') so I've published it myself.

Here's the interesting bit. I'm not interested in making money from the publication! Every penny will go to charity ... to the John Bradburne Memorial Society ... and organisation committed to lepers and the poor of Zimbabwe and the Izaak Walton League that campaigns for the environment.

My hope is that I can organise a synposium in 2013 to focus attention on English rivers and habitats and organise a charity auction to kick start the creation of the UK's first angling museum and angling reserach centre.

I'm selling the books at £9.99 plus £3.15 postage.

Thanks for reading.

Len Markham