The last week has been very last minute at time with things happening. For example on Wednesday I was called at mid day and asked if I could do a hawk walk at 2pm. I had just picked up a booking with 2 hours notice. A bit of rushing around getting things ready and I was standing waiting for the client 1hr 45mins later in the front hall of Cameron House. I always try to get to bookings with 15 mins to spare. It means I am relaxed and meeting to client stressed which just doesn't look good. Oran (male Harris Hawk) flew well.
Thursday was just stress and it had nothing to do with birds of prey. I decided to switch the water back on as it was well above 0C and the pipes had defrosted. I went to switch the water back on and I heard a cracking noise come from the valve as I switched it on with the sound of running water. I realised something was wrong so I went to switch it off which resulted in the valve breaking up. I was left holding part of the valve and a 2cm hole in the pipe with water pouring into the tack room. I had to run out into the car park lift a man hole cover reach down into a foot of muddy water feel for a tap and shut the water off to the centre and someones house. Thankfully I was able to lift the manhole cover quickly and shut the water off so there was no real damage to the tack room. Then it was just a case of getting a plumber. So that was how Thursday started - STRESS. The plan was to offer some of the birds baths as it was so mild which I was still able to do. It just meant I had to carry water across from the hotel. The birds seemed to appreciate it with several of them jumping straight in while I was still filling the bath. I haven't been able to offer the birds baths for weeks due to it being so cold and the risk of them getting frost bite but as it was so mild on Thursday I was able to get it done.
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| Gigha having a bath. |
On Friday the plumber was able to fix the valve in the tack room so I now have running water for the first time in about 6 weeks in the centre. No more water barrels or getting water from the hotel for the cleaning hopefully this winter. Once this was done I was actually able to do something that I had planned to do and was go and visit a farm that I have been given permission to fly on. Unfortunately it rained most of Friday, there was some dry spells but it mainly rained so it was case of just talking and checking where the boundaries are rather than actually get out on it and start flying a bird on it.
My weekend was fully booked which was great. Weekends at this time of the year can be a bit hit and miss with bookings. People don't have alot of money after Christmas and the weather can put a lot of people off from doing things outside. Especially this winter with the cold. Even though it rained all day Saturday we were still able to get all the bookings done. At least the sun came out for a bit on Sunday.
I mentioned in my last post something about Gigha (male Peregrine) which didn't make a lot of sense. I was full of the cold when I did my last post so I wasn't at my best. What I should of said was that I have been asked to loan him to a friend who breeds Peregrines. He has been looking for a mature male to put in an aviary with a female he has. Gigha meets the requirements as he is 6 years old. This is not that old for a captive Peregrine but he is mature. I am not that hopeful that there will be any young this year as this is his first time being used for breeding but you never know. I was meant to drop him at the beginning of the week but I was mess with a cold and I couldn't do it. I am hoping to be to drop him off this coming Monday. The move won't be permanent as Gigha will be coming back. If the breeding is not successful then he will be back by April. If it is successful then he will be back later in the summer. I guess we shall wait and see.
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