THE MONTHLY FLYER No 4(a).
November 2019
Saturday 2nd November 2019, the day when
my family witnessed my “coming out” in an area that they had always thought I
was 100% true to my beliefs!! Yes - they
were to witness a happening the likes of which they had never seen before.
I had told them about my witnessing a similar
activity in c1953 in Navarino Road, Hackney but both then and since that time I
had always been true to my beliefs and never wavered from them.
This time we were “en famile” in London at a restaurant on the North
bank of the Thames, celebrating a significant 50th birthday so it was
not an occasion when they expected to hear about my weakness of (or even “for”..) the
flesh. Whilst the group felt they knew all there was to know about me, it was
to be an incredible surprise (and a privilege for them!!) to watch this
unprecedented moment.
There have been a number of similar and difficult
decisions to make in my life, when I could not decide which one to choose, and here
once again I was faced with a dilemma to resolve. Mary was heard to say “you go
first” a common remark from her, which put the pressure on me… no more time to
think or ponder….I had to make the landmark choice. It wasn’t but it could have been, on my
bucket list.
It was unprecedented, and only on one occasion in
Spain some 30 years ago had I found myself with a similar sort of dining landmark
decision. On that occasion, my choice was overtaken by a “Hobsons Choice” situation
which was forced upon me, thereby removing my options.
This 2019 momentous decision, admittedly mine, has
made me ponder extensively whether or not I have previously encountered such a
situation and whether in fact I should be said to be a hypocrite and therefore
no need to “come out” as I am “out” already.
“Coming out” is the moment when you publicly
acknowledge that you have an opinion, a view, a way of life, or a secret
aptitude or leaning towards something that you have previously preferred to keep
quiet.
At this point as I reflect on previous weak moments
in my life, and decide whether I am indeed a hypocrite, I must confess that the
event of the 2nd November was equally a surprise to me (and to
others, and my readers), and was very close to being precedented twice before.
And, yet I don’t know. Where was the precedent? It certainly was not (1-a) Chrysolophus
Pictus but more probably (1-b)Phasianus
Colchicus, both memorable in their different ways. It could also have been (2) Gallus
Gallus Domesticus. Do they both breach my ethical view? They
both fall in the same categories in one way, but not in another. In the case of the first, it has a running
speed of c30mph, but in the latter a record flight of only 13 seconds.
And another factor, which is the appropriate
adjective? Wild, Feral or Tame? Does it make a difference?
I HAVE REACHED A CONCLUSION and decided that I do
not need to come out, because I am already “out”. I am not a vegan or a vegetarian, but an
outright carnivore. Which is why my starter at the excellent meal at The Sky
Garden Restaurant in the Fenchurch building (also known as The Walkie Talkie) in the city of London was ....... Feral
Pigeon!!
The Feral bit still bothers me. I can recall occasions
at Carsington Water when I have suggested that Severn Trent should institute a
self-service scheme to pick your goose for Xmas. This would be a) a money
earner; and b) help keep the Canada Goose stock down.
I cannot therefore help but wonder whether, when the
Chef at our restaurant has an order in the kitchen for Feral
Pigeon, does he pop down Fenchurch Street and select one of the plumpest resident pigeons.
ANYWAY,
I must admit that for a first-time experience, I did enjoy Pigeon. The meat
was firm, red and very tasty and there was not a scrap left on my plate.
By way of nostalgia, this is picture of a Derby
relative of my now deceased City of London Pigeon.
This one's name is Graham.
And what does Mary dish up last Sunday lunch?.......... Duck in a Cantonese style plum sauce – equally delicious.
I feel somewhat hypocritical to end with my usual post with “Happy
Birding”… so instead "Bon Appetit."
