DON'T TELL ME I CAN'T… ...learn how to fish

Krista Lamont has found a brand-new hobby, and has her son to thank for it

- KARA O'NEILL

As I cast the line out into the lake, I feel an overwhelming sense of calm envelop me, and just a little bit of a thrill, too. Sitting next to me is my son Alex, 10, and together, we’ve come fishing for the day to Ringstead Fishery, around 40 minutes from our home in Brackley, Northamptonshire.

We’ll spend the next few hours sitting side by side, chatting about the fish, sharing news of any bites, and tucking into our sandwiches.

Ever since Alex was a tot, he’s been obsessed with fishing. Every Saturday, his dad – my husband Jim – and I would take him onwalks to local beauty spots in the Cotswolds, where we used to live. Arming him with a stick with a piece of string tied to the end, we’d let him ‘fish’ in the calm waters and he loved every second.