7 The Magic Seaweed

Another pigeon died overnight but four had recovered and were back on there feet. The current situation is that sixteen birds are poorly but showing signs of recovery, while another sixteen birds are still seriously ill.

Tubby, Polly and Peter continued the good work of preparing food, caring for the sick and helping Brighton keep the loft clean and tidy.

By mid afternoon Percy had spotted something through his telescope. “It’s a flock of birds on the horizon,” he said, “but too distant to identify yet.” A few minutes later he was able to confirm. “Yes they are definitely racing pigeons,” he said, “and quite a big group by the look of it."

As the flock came closer Peter was able to identify Nigel and Uncle Roy at the head of an arrow shaped formation which must have included twenty to thirty birds.

Help arrives

Soon they landed on the Commander’s lawn. ”Good to see you boys,” said Tubby, ”I see you brought some pals with you Nigel.” “Yes,” said Nigel, ”once word got around that the SBS were in trouble everybody wanted to get involved. There is a representative here from every pigeon racing club in Devon and Cornwall. Each flyer has magic black seaweed stuck to his legs.” “OK,” said Polly, “no time to waste, lets get the medicine to the sick as quickly as we can.”

While Peter and his parents encouraged the sick birds to eat the seaweed the racing pigeons rested from their long flight. “Loads of food here,” said Percy, “help yourself.”

Local pigeons were still delivering organic food all the time so there was plenty to share out. The West Country birds tucked in.

During the afternoon Peter and his parents were resting outside the loft when Percy turned up. "Wakame,” said Percy. “What did you say?” inquired Tubby. “Wakame, the magic black seaweed

Wakame, the magic seaweed

stuff is called Wakame,” said Percy. “Ducky has just identified it. It’s a rich source of minerals and apparently it binds with heavy metals in our intestines and detoxifies the body which cures us. He says sailors from Devon and Cornwall have taken it to sea for generations. Sir Francis Drake, the first Englishmen to circumnavigate the globe took in with him in 1577."  “Well,” said Polly, ”now we know! As long as it makes those boys better I don’t care a jot about its funny name or its history.”

That evening the racing pigeons prepared to return to the West Country. “Do they have to go already?” asked Peter. “Oh yes said Nigel they must be back in their lofts before the morning otherwise they will be assumed to have gone AWOL.” “What does AWOL mean?” asked Peter. “Absent Without Leave,” chipped in Percy, “a very serious military offence.”

“Thank you Uncle Roy for delivering the magic seaweed,” said Peter, ”and for bringing so many West Country racers.” “Ere it was our dooty my ansome,” said Uncle Roy, “ in times of trouble all us pigeons ave to stick together.”

Then the thirty or so birds with Roy in the front took to the air and flew towards the setting sun.

West Country Pigeons return home

To be continued.....

Photographic Acknowledgements

The above images were provided, with thanks, from the following organisations:

Flock of pigeons - -all-freedownload.com
Wakame - aliexpress.com
Sunset pigeons - view.stern.de