HOLLOW ANGLING SOCIETY
Outing Venues 2012/13
Mike Smith
To book a place speak in person no messages
020 8505 3215 - 07989817316
NEXT OUTING
REMEMBER TO BOOK A PLACE YOU MUST SPEAK IN PERSON, NO MESSAGES OR E Mails
on several venues we are limited on numbers so you must speak in person to save a wasted journey.
During the winter matches phone on Saturday to check if the weather looks like a problem
COLEMANS COTTAGE [ Pathfield] 27th May
We have been there many times but there have been a few changes to the rules please read them through carefully and if you have any queries give me a bell before we get there. The club will suffer if anyone breaks their rules.
Note the main change re NETS. Our nets and bone dry laid out for inspection.
I have coloured the main rules
MATCH RULES
All keepnets and landing nets to be provided by yourselves ...
All keepnets to be fishery friendly and must be dry. Prior
to the match once you are at your peg stretch out your nets by your peg ready to
be checked...they are not to be placed in the water until checked and ok'd..
Should it be raining keep your nets dry in bags until checked.
Minimum of 1 silver net and 1 carp net ...should you so wish you can start the
match with 2 carp nets plus the silver net ...spare nets to be checked and dry
also.... (70lb maximum weight per net)..
On Match days breakfasts are served from 7am.......Match organisers can you
please ensure name taking, money collecting and draws etc all take place outside
..NOT in the actual Cafe as it impedes the serving of the breakfasts
Please remove and take home all litter from peg areas including disregarded
line. Unused bait MUST NOT be thrown into the lakes (either leave it in the grey
box’s on the bank or take it home) No rubbish should be placed in the boxes on
the bank these are for unused bait only.
Anglers must not fish beyond halfway to the next angler.
No unsocial or disruptive behaviour.
No cutting vegetation in the peg areas. Strap or tie back only.
If foul hooking fish on purpose i.e. close to the bank.
The angler will be disqualified.
Any anglers found to be disregarding the rules will be disqualified
The rules and fees are subject to change without notice.
All vehicles and equipment are left at their owners risk.
We the owners reserve the right to refuse entry or ask an angler to leave due to
any violation of the land, lakes or rules.
We also reserve the right to change a venue at short notice due to any
unforeseen circumstances.
We also reserve the right to make random checks on
angler’s kit and baits prior to the matches.
BAIT RESTRICTIONS
BANNED BAITS
No Luncheon Meat or any meat additives.
No Boilies
No artificial baits or lures
No bloodworm or jokers
No nuts and seed baits...except for sweet corn and hemp
No surface baits
No cat or dog meat
No liquid bait
BAIT LIMITS
1kilo ground bait limit
5 tins of Sweet Corn (maximum net weight 340g per tin)
8 pints of partical baits (Maggots, Caster, Hemp Pellet etc)
EQUIPMENT & METHODS
Bait and tackle that is visible on an anglers peg will be
deemed as in use.
Manufactured BARBLESS hooks only - Maximum size 10.
No hand lining unless in extreme circumstances i.e broken top section.
No floating pole or surface fishing.
No braid
No loop, paternoster or fixed rigs. All leads and feeders must be free running
up the line.
No bubble floats.
No floating pole method (there should be at least 6” of line between pole tip
and top of the float and at least 12”of line between bottom of float and hook.
(Excluding when fishing within one metre of bank-side vegetation)
KEEP NET POLICY
Large Carp must be placed in one net. Crucian Carp, Tench
and Carp under 12oz to go in with the silver fish.
Any large Carp added to the silver fish net will disqualify that net.
A maximum of 70lb is allowed in any one net. Weight above that limit will not be
counted in the weigh in. Extreme weight above that limit could render the angler
disqualified.
Movement of any fish between nets is not permitted at any time on any lake.
DO NOT put rocks or stones in keep nets.
WEIGHING IN POLICY
Unhooking mats MUST BE USED and Colemans weigh in buckets
Do Not tumble fish down the keep net it can remove scales
and the protective mucus from the fish leaving the fish more susceptible to
parasites and infection.
When returning fish to the water or to be weighed do collapse the keep net and
pull the 2nd/3rd ring from the bottom through to the top of the keep net and tip
the fish gently in the weigh bag or back into the water.
Place the fish back into the water from the weigh bag i.e place the bag on the
surface of water and slide fish gently back into the water. Any club seen
throwing fish back into the water from a height will LOSE
that match and future bookings.
CLUB MATCHES
Anglers caught breaking the rules (except the weight limit which is dealt with
above) will be issued with a one month ban with immediate effect.
That club will then be issued with a warning (which will
be indefinite). If any anglers are caught breaking rules on that club‘s future
matches, at our venue, that clubs next match will be cancelled.
If after this action there is a further rule breaking we will not hesitate to
cancel all of that clubs match bookings and that club will not be welcome to
match fish on our lake.
Anglers and clubs are allowed to appeal in writing, which will be
reviewed by the owners. Upon appeal their decision will be final.
If you have any uncertainty on our rules please ask Jayne or Gerry to clarify
them before fishing.
Meet around 8am for 8.30 draw. fishing 9.30 to 12.30 then after weigh-in fish to 4.30pm [or 5pm fix at the draw]
The on site cafe is open from 7am and very good but get there early as usually very busy as the time goes on.
Good toilets even showers.
Directions
From London on the the A12 take junction 22 go round and over the A12 and as you go over the A12 take Braxted lane on the right, [blue weight limit boards at the start] the fishery is about 800 yards on the right, go to the far car park behind the cafe.
Limited pegs phone to book.
LATER THIS SEASON
Next league match
PEA LANE Upminster 10th June
More info to follow
LOOKING BACK 2012 / 13 SEASON
ARRONS 13th May
Not in the society points league but open to all members
6th May FORTY HALL WOODLANDS LAKE
MONK LAKE No 3 - 29th April
Results see results page
TYLERS COMMON Horseshoe lake 15th April
Results see results page
ALDERS FARM Match lake 1st April
Results see results page
LOOKING BACK 2011 / 12 SEASON
Pea lane [front half of the lake] 19th February 2012
The last match of the season and unfortunately I was stuck in Wales and missed out on the claim of weighing in on every match leaving only Barry Southgate and Mick Pryce to take that accolade .
Surprisingly low turnout as it was the last match, I hear that we would have had one more but he decided to sample the water before the match and without a change of clothes took the ''easy way'' out and returned home. No names as I would not like to embarrass him on the web for everyone to see, (I'm good like that)
The sun shone and things looked a lot better than the previous fortnight when everything was cancelled with the ice, the hopes were that the Carp would be on the move but the deeper water at Pea lane was still very cold and they were shoaled up fortunately for Dave Smith in front of him.
Most of the nets were Bream with the odd Perch.
The final top two places in the league went to the wire literally changing at the weigh in. In the end there was only one point in it after 22 completed matches with 20 counting
In the end well done Dave and to all the members that turned out throughout the season 35 in all
I hope you all enjoyed your outings and are looking forward to 1st April when we start again at Alders farm, details will appear nearer the time on the Venues page as usual.
We are always keen to see new faces and I can assure you you will be made welcome there is are no 'cliques' and all the rules are in the Handbook and any venue rules that apply are explained at the start of the match, and a phone call can sort any queries about rules or venue
Unfortunately those that have not heard Jack Johnson that started coming out with us last year died earlier this year after a prolonged spell in hospital.
Prize giving will take place at Alders farm fishery on 1st April match
By the way Mr Childs did your clothes dry out ok?
Hoping to see you all in April if not before on a work party
Arrans fishery Frozen CANCELLED
Colemans [Stepfield] 22nd Jan 2012
Arrans 8th Jan2012
Rockells 11th December
A very disappointing day with 16 single figure nets and even three blank nets
Don't ever let it be said fish are thick, they knew that the sun we enjoyed during the afternoon was the prelude to the first real frost with temperatures plummeting from 7 centigrade Saturday/Sunday night to minus 3 Sunday night. The fish were not in the margins or around the islands but shoaled up in the deep water and not really feeding.
Only around twenty Carp put in an appearance with most nets containing skimmers with the odd small Tench and Ide and the oddball Pumpkinseed a fish that looks like a wrasse.
Results on ''MATCH RESULTS PAGE
Churchgate 27th November
A very disappointing day with 16 single figure nets and even three blank nets
Don't ever let it be said fish are thick, they knew that the sun we enjoyed during the afternoon was the prelude to the first real frost with temperatures plummeting from 7 centigrade Saturday/Sunday night to minus 3 Sunday night. The fish were not in the margins or around the islands but shoaled up in the deep water and not really feeding.
Only around twenty Carp put in an appearance with most nets containing skimmers with the odd small Tench and Ide and the oddball Pumpkinseed a fish that looks like a wrasse.
Results on ''MATCH RESULTS PAGE
Colemans [Pathfield] 13th November 2011
With the weather holding up everyone was looking forward to the day having seen fishery results albeit about three weeks old. On arriving we were met by the owner who informed us that the midweek match and last weeks match had been won with only 40 odd pounds nearly 100 pounds down on the preceding weeks. On walking round plenty of fish were showing but they did look very lethargic. The water was around a foot below normal and there was a lot of surface debris mainly leaves at the top end of the lake making float fishing almost a no-no as the hooks caught on the leaves before sinking and the float became hidden in the leaves. Unfortunately we had to put one of these swims in and I drew it.
It turned out that the oxygen level of the lake like many others including two of our own waters was at a low, and many of the fish were just not interested in feeding.
The match was won with a very creditable weight by Steve Childs who worked hard at it all day. Well done Steve.
Thanks to all those that attended and hopefully enjoyed a bit of banter and social fishing
27 riders with 22 in the pools
1st £45, 2nd £30, 3rd £20, 4th £10, 5th £5
Results on ''MATCH RESULTS PAGE''
TYLERS [Willow/Ash] 30 Oct 2011
A mild night and the extra hour in bed made for a good start. Unfortunately the weather did not improve during the day in fact it seemed to get colder and windier during the day.
The water level like many lakes was down making the normally shallow margins even shallower 5 inches in my swim and only 9 inches at the end of my 12 foot net.
As we had 25 riders we used both Willow and Ash lakes.
Results on ''MATCH RESULTS PAGE''
LAKE JOHN 16th Oct 2011
Winter had come two nights earlier when there was a frost dropping the water temperatures, along with this we arrived in a thick cold damp early mist making it impossible to even see the island.
During the morning my 15.10 carp contender for the carp cup was beaten first by 16.08 followed shortly by 17.02 and finally by 19.00. Graham had a lump on for some time later in the day but lost it. Apart from these and a couple of small carp the weights were made up of mainly skimmers supported in some pegs by perch and a few tench.
Next year we have it booked in the middle of the summer when it will fish well and then late November by which time the cold weather will have settled in and the fishing will be better.
Results on ''MATCH RESULTS PAGE''
Fennes fishery 2nd Oct 2011
Another fine summers day it just happened to be in October. This was our first visit for two years, and we were hoping for a good day on Bream. Someone forgot to tell the fish. The fishery had grown up quite a lot with several swims lost and from the longish grass on many others not fished a lot. The water was rather clear not a good sign of foraging and feeding fish, and that said it all. Up until midday there were several dry nets and at the end still two dry nets. This water never produced fish in close and despite being told things were different still not a single bite let alone fish was had in close. In all it was a days fishing like it used to be before the days of the commercial heavily stocked fisheries except in those days we went with one rod one small tackle bag a picnic type seat or even a stool and one waxed knotted cotton keepnet. We liked it enough in those days to come back for more, how time have changed, nobody wants me to book it for next year. Roll on Lake John in a fortnight everyone seems to like that as it was our top turn out earlier this year and the Bream always oblige along with Tench, Perch and of course some large Carp [ not too big I hope as I am still in line for the Largest Carp cup this season ]
We were on Ash grounds which is the 6 acre lake on the left as you approach the fishery.
Fennes fishery
Fennes road,
Bocking,
Braintree.
Bitch in the box CM7 5LB
Results on ''MATCH RESULTS PAGE''
PUDDLEDOCK [Road lake] 18th Sept
An overnight cold heavy mist did not help the governors report that things had been hard for the last couple of weeks with cold winds and cold rain, however by the time the whistle [sorry air horn] went the sun had broken through and everyone was in good spirits about the day ahead. That changed before long as the little blighters with fins used them and moved away from most of the pegs.
We left out pegs 1 and 30 as they pointed to the same island corner I think this was where the fish went by the aerator between 1 & 30[ not working ] The pegs that caught fish were either side of these namely 26-29 round to 2-6.
Despite the bad weather forecast by those overpaid weather men the sun shine most of the day and on our far bank at least there was not a breath of wind all day. On the way home we ran into wet roads and found that the rain had missed us on both sides Harlow, Woodford and Southend having been soaked.
All in all nice weather but a hard day's fishing however it made a change from the fish a chuck waters.
There is a good cafe on site open at 7am but get there and wait early as it gets busy quickly.
Toilets on site
Sat nav St Mary's lane Upminster RM14 3NX
or go on line at :- http://www.puddledockfarmfishery.co.uk/?page_id=312
Results on ''MATCH RESULTS PAGE''
TYLERS COMMON 4th Sept
A warm night for the second match on the trot this time no dampness on the grass. as we walked round to set the pegs there were
fish topping everywhere and in the margins on the far end, where the wind was blowing towards.
The sun kept trying during the morning but just after the midday weigh-in the heavens opened and things generally went quiet, unfortunately for some of us it did not get going again until it was nearly full time.
Despite the fact that fish had been moved from the lake down to the Horseshoe lake it still fished quite well maybe below last years weights but still very enjoyable. I have booked horseshoe lake for one of our venues next year
21 riders, 19 in pools - payouts £40 - £25 - £15 - £10
RAYNES 21st August
A warm night and green water when we arrived did not look good, there were fish on the top in every swim but not looking very active or feeding.
ARRONS 7th August
This must have been our most ' active ' outing ever with an average of 213 lbs per angler.
When we arrived there was a gentle SW wind blowing and anglers on the car park bank were catching on the feeder at short range.
We had the tree [ road ] bank and the back [ horse ] bank. The water was quite low and despite the owners assurance that he had dug out the swims to allow nets in many had nets only half under water for quite a long way out.
The whistle went and fish were on within minutes and by the half time break the leader had nearly 130lbs in his nets with another 7 fish weighed in as the match progressed as they were around 10lbs each.
Even with two sets of scales our usual twenty minutes weigh-in break took nearly forty minutes, I wish someone would find a way of keeping the fish still in the weigh sling, but I suppose if you had people on top of you with someone's backside in your face you might struggle a bit.
In the afternoon things carried on as they had been in the morning for most and for some got even better, with one angler using five keepnets. However I think he was winding us up as he only had twenty pounds in each of the last two nets used, last time I lend him a net ! !
Unfortunately we did have a bit of rain but I think most of us did not even have time to put brollies up and everything soon dried out when the sun came out
Total on the day a record 4475 lbs
I have booked it for next year hope nobody objects ! !
Claverhambury 24th July 2011
A good start to the morning sun up early a light wind blowing into the car park corner and fish topping all around.
Although there are officially 35 swims on the lake due to poor banks and the usual problem with corner swims we only just got 24 pegs marked out and a couple of those were not liked by the anglers that got them, I can only apologise for that but it is hard booking a year in advance and not controlling the upkeep of the fishery.
The fishing varied with pegs that looked good not producing the goods. The wind should have pushed the fish to the car park bank but that end fished poor. The best end was was up towards the island .
This should be a good fishery but alas over the last couple of years little maintenance has been done and many of the lost swims were the ones that would have produced good results. We will keep an eye on it but unless some work is done on the banks we will not go back.
Results :- See 'results page'
Clattercote 10th July 2011
We arrived to the most beautiful morning one could want, sun, no wind, lush green vegetation, water level higher than any other water in England, fish topping all over, and reports from the bailiff of good fishing the day before. From here on it was downhill all the way. Very few fish not only to us but all the other clubs on the 120 peg water. It did not end at the final whistle as we then found that even leaving last of all at 7pm there was still traffic from Silverstone British GP and it was 10pm before the three of us got home 17 hours after the alarm clock. Looks like it will be the last time we will visit any of the Daventry area reservoirs as at the end of the day we only had 20 riders and several said no to next year.
It was a shame because the few fish caught were good condition and much better fighters than any commercial fish we encounter, 8lbs fish moving like a 3 lb juvenile with the power of a 20 lbs fish
Results :- See 'results page'
Rayne lodge [top] 26th June 2011
Results :- See 'results page'
Pea lane 12th June 2011
Results :- See 'results page'
Lake John 29th May 2011
Results :- See 'results page'
Tylers [ Willow ] 15th April 2011
Results :- See 'results page'
Colemans wood 1st May 2011 VENUE CHANGE
Colemans cottage Wood lake now cancelled as they have double booked again, we could have had the new lake again but I think it was too near last visit, and I am going to book it for the winter as there were F1's and silvers
So we will be at Arrons same time 8 for 8.30 draw fish 9.30-12.30 and after weigh in fish to 5
Results :- See 'results page'
Newlands Hall 17th April 2011
Results :- See 'results page'
Colemans [ new lake] 3 April 2011
Colemans cottage 3rd April 2011 New Lake
We were the first club to fish the new lake, another first for Hollows
Results on the results page
LOOKING BACK 2010 / 11
THE 23rd OUTING WASTO TO ARRONS FISHERY SUNDAY 20TH February
Results on the results page
THE 22nd OUTING WAS TO BLASFORD HILL SUNDAY 6TH February
Blasford hill is just outside of Chelmsford for the ''Bitch in the box'' tap in
Blasford hill
Little Waltham
Chelmsford
ESSEX
CM3 3PL
Results on results page
THE 21 st OUTING WAS TO BERKHAMPSTEAD Sunday 23RD February
Results on results page
THE EIGHTEENTH OUTING WAS TO BE TO BLASFORD HILL FISHERY Sunday 28th November
- - - - - - - - - - - CANCELLED FROZEN! ! ! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
This match will now be held on 6th Feb weather permitting
THE SEVENTEENTH OUTING WAS TO STAMBRIDGE FISHERY Sunday 14th November
Firstly my apologises for leaving after only an hour or so but a phone call informed me that my mother had suffered a stroke so I had to make my way to London hospital.
We had the front lake After a nice start to the day rain came about 11am as I was leaving and I am told it stayed for the rest of the day. The weights are now tailing off as the cold weather arrives, but it was nice that most nets were Bream and Roach instead of the usual Carp. There were infact Roach to 2lb and Bream to 3plus
Lakes contained Carp, Bream, Roach, Crucians, Tench
Situated north of Southend on sea on the Rochford road - Sat nav SS4 2AR
Results on the 'OUTINGS RESULTS' page
THE SIXTEENTH OUTING WAS TO BLIND LANE FISHERY Sunday 31st October
Results on the 'OUTINGS RESULTS' page
THE FIFTHTEENTH OUTING WAS TO TYLERS COMMON [Willow] 17th OCTOBER
Results on the 'OUTINGS RESULTS' page
THE FOURTEENTH OUTING THIS YEAR WAS TO ROCKELS FARM Sunday 10th October
Results on the 'OUTINGS RESULTS' page
THE THIRTEENTH OUTING THIS YEAR WAS TO COLEMAN COTTAGE [Wood lake] 19th September
The cold weather started in the week leading up to our visit that killed it in the morning and by the time it warmed up a bit it was too late for most. The lower numbers seemed to come off best 9 to 14 possibly due to the wind direction.
We are back there for our Christmas match but hopefully by then although it will be cold the fish will be used to it and have settled down. This is the deepest of all the lakes which helps out during the winter.
Results on the 'OUTINGS RESULTS' page
THE TWELFTH OUTING THIS YEAR WAS TO MONK LAKES No 2 on 5th September
www.monklakes.co.uk check out their match results page for lake 2 or see 'OUTING RESULTS' page
Results on the 'OUTINGS RESULTS' page
THE ELEVENTH OUTING THIS YEAR WAS TO MONK LAKE 4 ON 5th AUGUST
Results on the 'OUTINGS RESULTS' page
www.monklakes.co.uk check out their match results page for lake 2 or see 'OUTING RESULTS' page
THE TENTH OUTING THIS YEAR WAS TO RAYNES LODGE [Bottom lake] 8th August
RAYNES LODGE BOTTOM LAKE
Rayne road, Braintree, Essex
Results on the 'OUTINGS RESULTS' page
THE NINTH OUTING THIS YEAR WAS TO TO CLAVERHAMBURY ON THE 25th JULY
A warm dry week leading up to our visit, then during Saturday night it rained a cold night rain and the fishing was slow in the morning until the sun came out
A good turnout [24] in all
Results on the 'OUTINGS RESULTS' page
THE EIGHTH OUTING THIS YEAR WASTO DRAYTON RESERVOIR ON THE 11th JULY
Just about the furthest venue we visit and with the Football final and the British Grand prix we found we were a bit low on riders,
The day started a bit cold and wet many turning up in shorts and sort sleeve shirts for the expected 30degrees, it was not until about 11 am that the sun finally made it.
The water was some 5 foot below normal and some of the timber platforms were past their sell by dates but fish were still caught with some pegs better than others.
Results on the 'OUTINGS VENUES RESULTS PAGE'
THE SEVENTH OUTING WAS RAYNE LODGE [ Top lake] on the 27th June
Poor turnout due to the football and the heat
It was hot for those of us in the sun ok for the ones in the shade of the trees for most of the day.
The whole place was alive with fish on the surface but they did not feed that well. Most people caught on the feeder
Our next visit there will be on the bottom lake
Results on the 'OUTINGS RESULTS PAGE
THE SIXTH OUTING THIS YEAR WAS OAKFORD FARM at Hatfield Peveril on the 13th June
We had the whole of the Top Lake [Mick's lake] booked 22 swims
Situated 4 mins off the A12 [junction19] Hatfield Peveril
Sat Nav Nounsley road CM 3 2NG
Check it out on www.oakfordfarmfishery.co.uk
A rather disappointing day, one swim as expected was a flier and unfortunately none of the other swims came up with the goods, we have had good results here even better than this result in the winter months but I suppose this is what to expect with the little blighters using their fins
Results on the 'OUTINGS RESULTS PAGE
THE FIFTH OUTING THIS YEAR WAS TO HARTLEYLANDS FARM 30th May
We had the whole of Peartree lake booked 26 swims
A fairly large lake some 120 yds by 60yds with two islands and depths up to 7ft and a good mixture of species.
The fish had spawned the previous week and there had been a match on the lake [ Mavers pairs ] on Saturday so with the fresh spawn that they mop up with gusto and the bait from the previous day they were not that hungry.
Results on the 'OUTINGS RESULTS PAGE
THE FOURTH OUTING THIS YEAR WAS TO NEWLANDS HALL SUNDAY 16th MAY
We had the whole of Moat lake 30 swims
Despite recent reports of 30lb winning weights with 18lbs second and several blanks we had a good day with 21 riders and half weighing in more than the 30lbs reported before.
Results on the 'OUTINGS RESULTS PAGE
THE THIRD OUTING THIS YEAR WAS COLMANS COTTAGE SUNDAY 2nd MAY
We were on Pathfield Lake whole lake 36 swims
We certainly seem to be able to pick the worst day in any week, after seven good days we had a cold night and rain driven in by a cold north easterly wind. This affected the weights the shallower end of the lake which should be coming into its own at this time of the year was hard going.
Results on the 'OUTINGS RESULTS PAGE
THE SECOND OUTING THIS YEAR WAS TO TYLERS COMMON, ASH LAKE
The weather was on our side but the fish were still rather shoaled up with the same pegs taking the top spots that had won on a previous match held the week before but after the last few matches since Christmas it was still nice to see more fish and the sun.
Results on the 'OUTINGS RESULTS PAGE
THE FIRST OUTING WAS TO AARONS 'ENTIRE FARM' [SMITH TOPSOILS]
Rain rain go away come again another day unfortunately it did go away the night before but left a cold overflowing lake with thick mud on most of the banks.
The fishing was very hit and miss as seen from the weights and the peg numbers
Results on the 'OUTINGS RESULTS PAGE'
LOOKING BACK ON 2009
THE TWELFTH OUTING WAS 6th September 2009
DRAYTON RESERVOIR Near Daventry
Guess what we had the boards again twice in one year, luck is with us
Results on the 'RESULTS PAGE'
Below in [2008] we see our Outing Secretary watching the weigh in, our Outings secretary trying to get a carp out from under the boards, next Chairman trying the same.
They both failed [ Ctrl/click to enlarge]
The boards in fact for those that don't know is a boardwalk about 15 foot out from the bank. When we last went there the fish were spawning in the reeds behind us and coming out into the main water only to dive back under when hooked.
The Dam end, where the picture of the weigh-in is taken is large platforms set against the bank by where we park up.
_________________________________
Having seen the venues and results how about joining us for a good day out with a bit of banter a few fish if we are lucky, learn a few new techniques and a lot of new friends.