Sometimes the planets align just so.....and you experience something rather special out of the mundane and the ordinary.
On sunny days the view over the village rooftops from the Gop (The hill behind Trelawnyd) can almost take your breath away.
It's not just the way the houses, cottages hall and church snuggle against the green fields to the West and South that please, it's the large flock of racing pigeons that always seem to circle and re circle the village at speed that brings a smile to your face.
For those that don't know racing pigeons can fly at best between 80 to 90 miles an hour, and so a flock flying in tight circles often resemble a glittering shoal of fish , especially then the sun catches their different facets as they swoop almost at ever changing right angles over the rooftops.
I watched them as I listened to this piece of random music chose by Spotify and got lost in the very beautiful drama of the moment....
The approximate donation total for our Samaritans' Centre stands just shy of £ 4,650.00
So thank you to Colin & Jenny, heather, Ann, Elaine, Granny G, Michelle, Christina , anons x 4, Emma, Kate, Jenny Strawberry Mouse, Grace , Sandra , Sailor John and Mandy, Louenna and Ralph,
The donation page remains at ( click on)
https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/johngray1#donationSummary
When I'm paying attention, it seems like I can almost always find something special out of the mundane. The problem is that I'm rarely paying enough attention to notice.
ReplyDeleteYou have the greatest readers and commenters on the net.
Perhaps Harry I have too much time on my hands
DeleteI stand corrected, I did not know racing pigeons were that fast, 50 mph average over long distances, 90 mph for short races. If they pass close to you on still day the noise of their wings is fantastic. They used to release them in Malvern when I was a boy and they would circle over our house several times as they got their bearings.
ReplyDeleteI'm always impressed how honest and true ALL your posts are---not particularly talking about this post.
ReplyDeleteI try Howard thank you
DeleteHave never heard the term 'shoal' used in this manner here in the Maritimes......we use this term for 'sand bars'.
ReplyDeleteI just learned something today.
Oh....Happy Zipping tomorrow!!
Jimbo , it's only me that uses it
DeleteActually I looked it up, John, and it can be and is used interchangeably by some.
DeleteAll of us who admire and treasure you will be thinking of you tomorrow. It won't yet be dawn here when you buckle up and fly. Take care, good John Gray.
ReplyDeleteThank you Judith
DeleteLast year I came home to a pigeon walking in my driveway. It shuffled out into the lane but didn’t fly off. I was able to pick it up and saw that it was banded. It had a telephone number on one of its wing feathers. I phoned the number and eventually spoke to its owner.
ReplyDeleteShe, apparently, was a young pigeon and must have hooked up with some other pigeons and got lost. Poor thing had no energy to fly. We put her in an old animal crate and fed her for a few days until the pigeon pick up person collected her. He drives around the country picking up lost pigeons and returning them home.
Traveller
How sweet xx
DeleteWonderful photo and music. I often think the clouds above Tucson looks like the ocean. Every once in awhile when there is a storm south west ot us desert people you can even smell the Pacific Ocean.
ReplyDeleteGood Luck tomorrow !
cheers, parsnip and badger
I love those little special moments in the middle of the everyday. Congrats on your fundraising!
ReplyDeleteIt's thanks to the likes of you and other blog readers steve
DeleteOne day, not long after my husband died and I was still walking around numb with shock and grief, I walked out into the back yard .. our house was on about an acre of land but behind our property was a farm field and a forest ... acres of land with no buildings . The corn had been cut and everything was quiet. Except I could hear birds .. I walked outside to the deafening sound of hundreds or black birds in the trees .. they suddenly all lifted off and swirled and circled and flew in an undulating black cloud over the fields .. it was a
ReplyDeleteMurmuration.
As if Someone Up There sent me a love note .. you can see them online if you want to watch something, and hear something incredible.
Beautiful Candice . . .
DeleteIt was a love note Candice
DeleteThat music is the perfect accompaniment to the scenery that was before you,John. Your putting those together gives a glimpse into your mind,heart and soul. What a treasure you are! -Mary
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to see you tomorrow all the best
ReplyDeleteSending you very best wishes for tomorrows fun.X
ReplyDeleteGood luck for tomorrow. Will be thinking of you. xx
ReplyDeleteTomorrow, as you get assembled for the zip wire ride, think of the expression I use as I get in the dentist chair....... “This too will pass”.
ReplyDeleteI was in a very large parking lot at dusk and suddenly there was a murmuration of maybe a thousand birds. It was like a school of fish with the swooping and turning all in a closely packed cloud. They got lower and lower. Then, suddenly, they all disappeared into the parking lot trees to roost. I’ll never forget that awesome sight.
ReplyDeleteGood luck on the zip line. I don’t think I could do it. If you chicken out you can still keep my donation. Just the terror of thinking about doing it for all these weeks is good enoughfor me. What’s next? A bungee jump?!
Yes! Like a school of fish!
DeleteExcept noisier :)
Good luck tomorrow ... make sure you have your big boy pants firmly pulled up :)
ReplyDeleteGood luck for tomorrow John.. Here's one to sing while you fly…. What time is the big event?
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bWyhj7siEY
Breathtaking, both pigeons and the wonderful music. Ta.
ReplyDeleteTomorrow's flight will no doubt also be breathtaking. Remember to breathe and to take a peek at the sights. We'll be flying with you!
Best of luck tomorrow, brave Johnny!
ReplyDeleteGood luck tomorrow. Fly like a bird!x
ReplyDeletePlay that music when you 'soar' through the sky tomorrow! x
ReplyDeleteThank you to Mary Ann, Colleen,anon, and lynne
ReplyDeleteTotal now almost £4750 xxxxx
Joining all your well wishers around the globe as we think of you confronting your fear tomorrow. We hope you end up enjoying the experience!
ReplyDeleteAll the best for tomorrow, John.
ReplyDeleteThe weather forecast is good. A fine day indeed to go fly a zipwire! 😀
Good luck for tomorrow. Can't wait to see the photos.
ReplyDeleteWe have a flock of those birds just down the hill from us. Some one is flying them, but I haven't figured out where they came from.
ReplyDeleteGood luck tomorrow.
All the best for tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed the racing pigeons - and the music - calm those nerves for tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteI'll be thinking of you tomorrow. You are a brave one. Remember to enjoy it for it will be over as soon as it begins.
ReplyDeleteYou are a brave person in many ways John. Sending my love to you for tomorrow. enjoy the view and freedom.
ReplyDeleteKathy
Good day weather wise tomorrow John..good luck for your new adventure! Feel the fear and do it anyway..just think of the vast sum of money you have raised for your very worthy cause. Not forgetting Ann too!! Good luck both..
ReplyDeleteMyra
Talk of shoals of fish brings to mind Mackerel Skies
ReplyDeleteThat's an uplifting thought mave
DeleteBRILLIANT photo.
ReplyDeleteLots and lots of luck with your challenge. And hugs.
Good luck for the morrow xx
ReplyDeleteFantastic about the fundraising effort.. well done, and all the best of luck for your ziplining tomorrow. Have a scream for me XX
ReplyDeleteJo in Auckland, NZ
More thank yous marjoilin , Jane and Laura.....we are up to £4,800 !!!!!
ReplyDeleteGood luck for tomorrow. Alison from Shropshire.
ReplyDeleteYou will be in my thought as you join the pigeons and race through the sky tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteI am stand by here in Michigan . . .
ReplyDeleteand sending up cheers for you . . .
I do hope someone gets some pictures.
Amazing numbers, I just threw in a bit more,
we need to get the numbers over 5000 . . .
Great cause . .
I hope you enjoy a Happy ZIP!
Thank you lynne and Nyree.... I may get to 5000£ xxxx
ReplyDeleteMaddie xxx
ReplyDeleteThe music just took me away I closed my eyes and could well imagine birds with the glimmer of a shoal of herring thank you for that, you have a wonderful way with words I was transported so hope tomorrow that you use your imagination while you soar across the line.
ReplyDeleteOnce a month I have to go get three shots. I've found that focusing on counting helps a lot. If I were doing the zip thing, I'd definitely be counting.
ReplyDeleteGood luck John x
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to the video,
ReplyDeleteVery best wishes for tomorrow to both you and Ann tomorrow. We'll all be hugging you as you fly down the zipline John!
ReplyDeleteThis time tomorrow you and Ann will be professional zipliners who raised good money for charity - cheers to you both.
ReplyDeleteTrust there will be glass of the strong stuff awaiting you both at the finish line to restart the normal breathing sequence!
Good luck! And I hope you actually enjoy it, too :)
ReplyDeleteDon't forget to say "Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!"
ReplyDeleteHugs to you and Ann!
Enjoy tomorrow, firsts in ones lives brings about so many emotions! I’m excited for you! It would be scary for me too! Soar high John and remember to breathe. Gabs
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the zip wire!
ReplyDeleteVery best wishes to you John on your zip wire challenge. May it be a wonderful liberating experience. Kind regards Julie x
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ReplyDelete