Pigeon Post

Aha, you left the pigeon loft door open. The joy of human forgetfulness!

Well we now have four (sometimes five) resident racing pigeons. Probably down to the fact that I'm a big softy when it comes to animals and partly to the fact that they've decided that our new home is still their home. Of course, I had to name them didn't I? Above is Specky (left) and Addie. These two have fallen head over heels and adore each other, which means I will have to keep an eye out for eggs so that the four don't turn into many more.

I once looked out and saw eight, sitting in row on the pigeon loft. Thankfully the 'extras' didn't stay. I woke up the following morning wondering if I'd dreamt it.

I must admit, I have grown quite attached. They wait on the house roof in the morning, until they see me heading down the garden, fly above me, land on the patio and if I'm not arriving quick enough, walk to greet me, turn round and walk back to the patio with me. They then have their breakfast, pecking away at the pigeon food in my hands. I'm not daft, I know that I am the object that feeds them, but it's the building of trust that's tugged at my heart strings.

Did I mention the others? There's Amtrak, who was collected by courier and flew back here in a couple of days, Bully (who no longer does) and Pink Ring (Amtraks on/off girlfriend).

Call me a big old softy, you know you want to......................

Hugs, Sarah x

Award!

I got an award from the lovely Babs at Simplycats . How lovely! Its rounded off my day beautifully.

The award is the Arte y Pico and is awarded to people whose blogs inspire others with their creativity and their talents, also for contributing to the blogging world. When you are given this award it is considered a special honor. I'm terribly chuffed!

Thanks Babs!

The rules for passing this honor on:

1) Pick 5 blogs that you would like to award this honor to.

2) Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to his or her blog to be visited by everyone.

3) Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that has given her or him the award itself.

4) Award-winner and the one who has given the prize have to show the link of "Arte y Pico" blog, so everyone will know the origin of this award.

I've decided to pass this award on to the people whose blogs I visit most regularly.

Contents of a Fried Brain - Sindie is always positive and cheerful, whatever life throws at her. An inspiration.

A White Cat - Babs has already awarded this blog, but I couldn't resist! Beautiful cats and brilliant photos!

Rachael Rabbit - Lovely crafts and cute knitted animals!

Wild Thyme Originals - Gorgeous bears and humourous insights!

Bearing All - More gorgeous bears and fellow British bearmaker!

So there we are!

Thanks again Babs, I'm still chuffed!

Hugs, Sarah x

Racing Pigeons

Be aware when buying a house that belonged to a keen racing pigeons enthusiast, that when the said pigeons are sold on, you might get the odd one or ten come 'home'. This is whats been happening to us. We are now up to nine, though one is a 'repeat' visitor. Two have gone back after being 'shooed' away, four were collected by the new owner, one went to a local pigeon association as it didn't belong to the new owner all the others were sold to, one went by carrier (in an 'approved' box the poor pigeon couldn't even turn around in) and two are now pottering around in the garden as I type.

The repeat visitor has opened my eyes to the harsh reality of pigeon racing. Apparently if the said pigeon can't be broken in, basically his neck will be rung, as, as the new onwer said to Robert, " It'll be of no use to him". He suggested as a deterent, putting them both in carrier bags and shaking them or letting our cats have a go at them. I read someones blog yesterday, who had found a stray racing pigeon and luckily found a 'forever' home with a lovely couple. As she said, sadly some enthusiasts just see them as tools in a sport.

I'm praying that all my striding up the garden and flapping an umbrella at them will do the trick and they'll go home. It's wearing me out, but the thought of the repeat visitor being collected Friday to possibly meet it's death, I don't think I could handle.

Wish me luck with my umbrella flapping..............I think I need it.

Hugs, Sarah x