THE RACING PIGEON 27 OCTOBER 2023
18
Surrey Bird
We are currently suffering the consequences of storm Babet, which can be summed up in one little three letter word – wet! After waiting and realising that the rain was not going to abate, on went the rain macs and out we went. The drainage around the specials loft is clearly not the best it could be and try as I might, there was no way I was getting in and out of there with dry feet. I guess that wearing my usual crocs wasn’t the best way to go and I probably should have gone for boots but it’s too
Some stock girls.
Rain stops play.
Wet!
late now and the soggy socks are in the washing machine. The view from inside, where I shall now be staying is not an attrac- tive one at all, sorry dogs but it’s a wet play day today! Let’s go back to where I left off last time, and at the club meeting held on 11th October, the members present decided that we all would like the Warwickshire Federation to stay flying North for 2024. I believe that at the Federation meeting, which was held the following Saturday, the majority of clubs voted the same way. We wait now for further information as to what happens next and to whether there have been anymore volun- teers to fill those all important delegate roles. I did indeed visit and dine at the oldest Inn in the country and thoroughly enjoyed the quirky surroundings and delicious food. It may be small, but with a cave for a ceiling and having all the old memorabilia and artefacts around to look at whilst chomping away on fine food made it an experience I would most definitely be up for repeating in the future. I wish I could say the same about the castle, which isn’t really a castle at all and left me feeling most disappointed seeing as it didn’t even take twenty minutes to look around, but I can’t say I wasn’t warned. Anyway, at least I can say I have been now and that I have been able to spend time with my youngest without having to drive six plus hours to do so. He is still camera shy, so I have included some photos of my now favourite pub instead.
Boys behaving.
Feeling blue.
I may have spoken to soon about the feather situation easing up as we seem to be in a second wind of those at the moment in the lofts and the birds are still in varying stages of the moult. I was trying my best earlier to get some photos of the girls, but they weren’t putting on their best poses for me, probably because they feel as depressed with the weather as I do. Three sisters that always catch my eye are the reds we have bred from one of our new stock pairs, ‘Gary’ (Westway Lofts) and the JPS hen I called the ‘Holiday Hen’ because she was the most expensive and I could have had a little joliday with the pennies spent on her. You may remember their just as attractive brother from last weeks article as we have kept him to put back in the stock loft. I’m getting very slack with my naming of birds and I have more than likely singled these out as they add colour to the loft but to me, they are little stunners, I hope they will prove that their parents were money well spent in 2024. Getting photos of the almost yearling cocks was a pointless affair as they were too busy cooing and parading around but I can’t really complain if they are content and behaving them- selves. I expect many of you will be heading to the Epsom show on the 28th, if it wasn’t so far away, we would have a trip down there as I’m sure there will be plenty of familiar old faces to catch up with and it was an event I always enjoyed going too. Maybe next year we will think of staying over and making a weekend of it but for now, we are looking forward to a day out at the Doncaster show, which is only fifteen days away. I will be window shopping where birds are concerned but have a shop- ping list of what we can buy ready for next season in my head,
New best pub.
whether that stays there, and I remember is another thing. I would write it down but will probably forget to take it! I hope storm Babet has blown itself out before next Thursday as I brought tickets months ago to attend the spectacle of light at Rufford Abbey. Last year we went to the Wollaton Park Christmas lights, but I fancied returning to the Abbey to get my fill of sparkly lights before the festive season is well and truly upon us. Yes, I have mentioned the C word…that’s enough of that talk. Bye for now. Jo Cuthbert
Sisters.
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