Seasonal changes; start of the year - arctic winters, a friend from childhood, a valley changed; valley carp - Gallows Hill, rumours, the Buddha, pursuing the Buddha, carp and Hall Lake, life in the lilies; valley river - running waters, roach and the wheel of nature, first successes, upper river monsters, attempt on the tidal river, the dewatering summer, wandering whiskers; marshland life - the saltings, eel netter, the eelman's work, eel affairs, Don's dyke; valley predators - thoughts on valley perch, an unusual result, the survivor, poikey pie; valley pools - strange happenings at the crucian puddle, crucian carp (the perfect puzzle), the puddle express, a forgotten bream shoal; the year ends - old money used up, the Buddha (closing in), squaring the circle.