The Joe Murphy Column
We are now reaching the end of the old bird’s season up here in Scotland with only the national races left. Quite a number of fanciers have been very disappointed with the SNFC race programme as it only has 2 races one from Maidstone which will be flown tomorrow 24th July (as I write this article) and next week 31st July they have the Gold Cup race from Reims. Countless fanciers believe that the channel pigeons may not have had enough work and then rest prior to the Gold Cup race. Many think the Maidstone race could have been flown 2 weeks ago and then the birds could have gone to Ypres (a distance of 454 miles to Kevin) this week and then the following week went to Reims which is a distance of 578 miles. We all know that pigeons need to be fit and have had time on the wing prior to going to the extreme distance races. So to go from club racing to Reims 578 miles would be suicidal and you wonder how many fanciers would do this to their pigeons NOT MANY. There will not be many birds from this week’s Maidstone race going into the basket on Tuesday night to Reims. However as we all know someone will do this and good luck to them, but I have more respect for our pigeons to something like this. Whereas the SNRPC held a race from Billericay last week with an entry of 1100 birds and it was a very good race with many fanciers timing on the day and the time on the wing will have done the birds the power of good. Kevin sent 14 birds and had 10 on the day with a yearling coming the following day. Never in his life has he had 10 pigeons from a national race on the day, which speaks volumes for the condition he sent them in. Some of these will now go to Reims and Arras. He has also send fresh pigeons to Maidstone and Hazebrouck; which is a distance of 400 to 450 miles. The Hazebrouck race is this Friday 24th July but many of the Billericay birds will go to Arras on the 31st July as they will have had rest prior to the event. I do not know how he faired in the open result from Billericay as there is a delay in the result being published due to the amount of new members joining the club plus they now require RPRA distances. Many of them will be SNFC members and you would be surprised at the amount of fanciers who have joined both organisations. As a fancier said to me a few weeks ago we need to fix this out and have ONE national were we can all race together. But I know some people who will never change which is a pity as we are all pigeon fanciers who wish to race our birds against the best in Scotland.
Greatest Feeling in the World
Received a phone call from Brian Fitzsimons of Cleator Moor, which is a small town in the English countryside of Cumbria: and within the boundaries of the historic county of Cumberland. The town's skyline is dominated by Dent Fell. Brian had birds away to the NFC Messac race. The convoy were liberated at 08.45 hours in clear sky and cleared immediately. Brian was flying 467 miles and just as he was locking up his loft as it was near 22-00 hours and dark. He heard a swish and thump on the board and there was his mealy hen from the national. He timed her at 4 minutes to the hour and was near to tears and in all his life he has never experienced a feeling like this within the sport. The hen wins 1st section O and 586th open from a convoy of birds. The reason Brian phoned was this hen was bred down from stock he obtained from me a few years back. His winner’s dam was down from ‘JS’ a mealy cock that Kevin raced in Arbroath; her sire was bred by my dear friend Andy Gregson down from his DeWeerdt family. ‘JS’ won 1st club only bird on day winning 26th section C 130th open Eastbourne flying 419 miles; he also won 11th section C 65th open Ypres flying 454 miles and then won 15th section C 36th open Clermont ALL SNFC RACES as yearling; He won 23rd section C 213th open Cheltenham 321 miles; he also won 107th open Clermont 539 miles but no section prize plus he also flew in Ypres 2012. Unfortunately he was lost going for Silver Award. As a matter of interest the Murphy hen has bred birds to win from 370 -430 & 480 miles for Brian. ‘JS’ was bred by Jock & Willie Strang & son from the North West federation. Fanciers may recall that I met up with Willie at the Forth Bridge who had some youngsters for Kevin and I. When I looked into the basket I noticed the mealy had red and blue feathers. Jock once played for Glasgow Rangers and is a ‘true blue’ and me being a ‘Celtic Man’ told Willie that I was not taking that bird home with me, I’m glad I did as this turned out to be ‘JS’ named after Jock Strang. We have been good friends for more years than I can remember and in fact we both have the same date of our wedding anniversary (Jock and Betty were married before YEARS before us- payback time pal) I can assure Brain that Jock & Wull will be over the moon to read about your fantastic section win in the Messac national well done mate, we are over the moon for you and more importantly Thank You for notifying us, as many people do not do so nowadays.
Results
Federation Secretary Kenny Droog wrote; Hi Joe Saturday saw the Angus and Dundee federations down at Peterborough for a 300 plus mile race for some people. Thought we would be lucky to get a race with the rain on route in fact I had a text from Brian Slater to say it was raining heavily at Newcastle. I know several federations brought their birds nearer home for liberations, anyway word came to say our birds were away at 08-00 am with a south west wind. I then received word from Bo`ness to say they were up at Ripon, and their birds were to have a tough time of it with Andrew Brown taking 1st and 2nd club. I`m sure due to the lateness of the old bird season and weather we were down to only 153 birds from Angus and 92 from Dundee not much of a convoy to cover over 300 miles but in Angus, out again in front is Davie Glen with a 2 year old mealy cock, his sire is a son of Bruce McKenzie`s 1st open SNFC Clermont winner paired to a daughter of 1st open SNFC Ypres, so bred in the purple. This cock had already topped the federation at Ripon doing nearly a mile a minute, well he easily won again in the club and pipped Charlie and Glen Cameron of Arbroath for top position in the federation doing 1292.70, Davie practises widowhood like an expert. Also a word of congratulations to Dave, as race controller on getting the birds up the road with excellent results on a difficult day. Charlie and Glen Cameron were having a great day over at Arbroath dominating that club but also winning 2nd 5th, 9th 10th, 11th, 12th, 14th and 16th federation. Their first bird home is a yearling blue widowhood cock from a pair of Dutch imports, their next bird is a 3 year old, a very good bird having won 25th open SNRPC Reims on the day in 2019, her sire is down from Philip Geerdink great ‘Blue Boy’ a top winner at the distance containing the best of Jan Ernest crossed with Van de Wegen blood, her dam contains Leo Messiaen great ‘Castres’ blood he being a winner from Barcelona 5 times. Their 3rd bird another yearling from ‘Prada’ who won 1st and 2nd north section G in the SNFC he was paired to ‘Little Dorrie’ who won 3rd open SNFC Reims. 3rd, 7th and 13th goes to Gavin Ferguson of the Macaulay Ferguson and Curran partnership. Their winning bird taking 2nd club 3rd federation is a 2 year old Leo Van Rijn cock raced on widowhood he has always been consistent winning many federation tickets as has his brother; Gavin informs me that his parents came from Fred Dukker. Third club fourth federation goes to Kenny Droog and son with a 2 year old roundabout cock named ‘The Power’ who has been showing some form this year as he has a checked career so far. At his first race he went into Alex Power in Edinburgh within sight of the liberation site a quick call and he was brought back, kept at home for several weeks then off to the fourth race came well and was locked up for the season, not a darkness pigeon he was quite heavy in the moult, last year as a yearling at his first race he returned late minus most of his tail feathers and I thought when is he going to show his breeding, anyway final comeback race from Otterburn a 100 odd miles; straight in no tossing and he won 6th federation. This year he has been attacking anyone who came near his box including his owner last week he just missed the fed result however he now wins 3rd club 4th fed doing a velocity of 1233, his breeding is the finest Euro Diamond lines his sire being a inbred grandson of the super breeder ‘George’ the sire of Euro Diamond, Mistral, Hannah etc. while his dam contains the very best of my old ‘Bricoux’ lines, he is a grandson to top producer cock who`s granddaughter won 10th open SNFC young birds national and his granddam was my No1 Bricoux hen direct from W (Bill) Kitchen she has bred many winners and is granddam of many winners including a
31st open SNFC Reims Gold Cup, Bill could trace her line straight back to the Great Black Doctor of 1921, one of Dr Bricoux greatest racers. Kenny was also 8th fed with his next bird a Geerinckx crossed with Leo Van Rijn. Club secretary David Liddle is 4th club 6th Fed and 8th club 15th Fed, his 1st bird a 4 year old cock on widowhood. He has always been up with the winners only taking minor prizes he is a grandson of David`s best bird over the years who won the Combine from Maidstone in 2005, his old blood crossed with a hen from the late Peter Fenton his sire was from his good blue cock, a good winner scoring twice over the channel when paired to a daughter of Robert Rome`s great national winner ‘Reimus’. Jim McCafferty is 19th with Eric Galloway of the same Forfar club in 20th place.
East Section
Charlie & Glen Cameron of Arbroath take the first 8 places in the east section with W Dorward of Montrose in 9th place 10th spot goes to Chick & Ann Carrie of Arbroath club.
Club winners; Forfar 97 bird’s winner Davie Glen; Montrose sent 5 bird’s and the winner was George Campbell; Gourdon had 14 bird’s and their winner was W Dorward; Arbroath sent 37 birds with the winners are Charlie & Glen Cameron.
Arbroath Racing Pigeon Club
1st combine Peterborough
From this week’s result from the Peterborough race a distance of 293 miles 4 members sent 37 birds. A clean sweep this week from Charlie and Glen Cameron taking the first 5 positions, their 1st bird is blue bar yearling cock from a pair of Dutch stock birds. 2nd is a three year old hen who was on the day from Reims 2019 winning 25th open SNRPC. Sire is from Blue Boy of Philip Geerdink; ‘Blue Boy’ is one of the main race pigeons with numerous prizes at the distance. His breeding is of Jan Ernest lines cross with Van De Wegen. The dam is Leon Messiaen from his ‘Castres’ a 5 times prize winner from Barcelona. 3rd bird is a yearling cock from Prada who won 1st & 2nd North Section and ‘Little Dorrie’ winner of 3rd open SNFC Reims.
Almond Valley Federation
News from Lynne Stewart with the result of the Ridsdale race flown on 18th July with the convoy of 314 birds liberated at 12:45 hours. J Hadfield from West Calder took the first 3 place plus 22nd 25th 29th & 40th. Fred Jamieson & son of East Calder continue with their winning streak winning 4th 7th 9th 10th 11th & 13th places. John Bird of West Calder keeps up his consistent form winning 5th 6th 8th 14th 23rd 24th 31st & 33rd places. Jimmy M Young of East Calder wins 12th 16th 26th & 37th positions. Balerno’s Colin Bain and Willie Fairley win 15th 27th 28th 34th & 35th. Bonnybridge members George Harris wins 17th & 21st places; with I McLelland who wins 18th 19th 20th 30th 32nd & 38th positions. Club mates Wells & son win 36th federation with R & L MacDuff again from Bonnybridge winning 39th place.
Club Winners;
West Calder sent 92 birds; J Bird 1169-4, 1169-3; 1147; 1142
Balerno 15 birds; C Bain & W Fairley 1245.092, 1188.810, 1188.810, 1170.100
Bonnybridge 164 birds; G Harris 1215.065, I McLelland 1211.977, 1211.526, 1209.579
Carnwath 62 birds; J & L Alston 1105.929, 1104.040, 1090.075, W Watson 1017.914
East Calder 36 birds; F Jamieson & Son 1279.760, 1275.783, 1267.695, 1267.283
West Calder 37 birds; J Hadfield 1281.377, 1281.377, 1280.778, J Bird 1276.243
Ayrshire Federation
News from Archie McIntyre who writes; ‘Hi Joe, for our 4th and final old bird race of the season was from Melton Mowbray held on the 18th July. We were due to be at Worksop but the race controller took the decision to move them on an additional 35 miles to Melton Mowbray for a joint liberation with Lanarkshire and Glasgow Federations. This was a jump of 85 miles instead of the 50 miles if we had went to Worksop. The convoy of 439 Ayrshire birds and approx. 2,500 Lanarkshire and Glasgow birds were liberated at 08-15 in to a light south west wind for a race of between 226 miles up to 263 miles to the top end of Ayrshire federation. Again this was another very difficult race with very few pigeons making it on the night. Reports from the next day was quite a few of the birds were turning up. Leading the way in the federation this week taking 1st fed on 1018.0 is John Simpson of Ardeer HS with his ever consistent 2 year old cock flying on the roundabout. John bought both the sire & dam at Wullie Millen’s sale with the sire being through the ‘Westkappelle’ bloodlines and both parents containing the GWP Macaloney blood. He flew steady as a youngster and as a yearling, John flew him with Ayrshire North Road for a few races and then sent him to the Ayrshire fed race from Arniston in mid-June where he won 4th club 4th federation. This season he has had all the fed races and only last week from Ripon he won 1st club 1st 2 bird club 13th fed from a convoy of 1,795 birds flying 166 miles in what was a very difficult race. John is now putting him by for this season as he has high hopes for him next year. John would like to thank Wullie Millen for his help and advice post sale and a big thanks to his son, John junior for all his help and hard work. Picking up 2nd federation this week on 1017.4 and just missing out on the top spot is the ever consistent partnership from Ardeer HS, Jim Stirrat and Andy McKenna. Jim is a man of very few words and camera shy. They timed a 2 year old blue bar hen flying natural. This hen is a previous winner of 1st club, 14th fed Buckingham as a yearling last year. Her sire is the Peter Murphy cock x Jim Cullen hen. 3rd fed this week is fellow club mate Jim Shepherd of Dalry HS on 1000.7 his 2 year old hen only last week at the Ripon race won 5th club, 5th fed and has been a steady racer for Jim. The breeding is based on John McNeil of Broxburn blood Jim had introduced over 16 years ago.
Jim Sheperd 3rd Melton Mowbray
Winners from in and around the clubs;
North Section 149 birds; 1st Ardeer HS is J Simpson 1018.022, 1st Dalry HS is J Shepherd 1000.746,.
Central Section 96 birds; 1st Darvel HS is R Donegan 964.019, 1st Irvine HS are McKenna & Diamond 932.658. 1st Kilmarnock Invitation is P Pacala 899.792.
South Section 194 birds; 1st Cumnock & District are J & A McDougall 928.164, 1st Annbank & District is M Smith 863.281; 1st Mauchline & District is J Watters 808.528; 1st Whitletts & District are Cree & Cuthbert 797.959 and 1st Dalmellington pigeon club is M McLarty 707.200.
Central Federation
Broxburn & Uphall Pigeon Club
News from Bernie Britton who wrote, ‘Hi Joe, please find our result for Ripon flown on 18th of July with 4 members sending 175 birds liberated at 07-00 am into a south west wind. 1st club 1st federation is Gordon MacKenzie with a yearling chequer cock on roundabout this bird has won the fed this year already. He is a ‘Gabby’ bought from his good friend Mark Evans as a young bird. 2nd club 2nd fed is John McNeill with a 2 year old blue bar white flight cock on roundabout also a ‘Gabby’ from his D & J Hawkins & Evans stock birds. He has been a good racer and won in the SNFC Maidstone race he also won 2nd club Ripon; 2nd fed and also won 17th fed from Peterborough last week. John is also 3rd club 3rd fed with a blue bar pied yearling hen on roundabout she is a Lambrecht from his good mate Terry Rigney, this hen won 8th club from Newark. John was also 4th 5th 6th 7th fed which is good flying and we must not forget his good lady Marion. Well done to Gordon on winning the federation that is 6 races he has won Joe, great flying. Darcy has a few new friends on her university blog, a girl from Canada, Derry etc. I sent her a photograph of your write up in the column. So now you are known as Uncle Joe & Aunty Margaret Murphy ha ha; yours Bernie’.
Dundee Federation
John Wiseman's winner
Angus and Dundee federations go down together to the race points and their winner this week in Dundee showed us all a clean pair of wings with John Wiseman coming out on top on 1296 velocity. Davie Glens bird doing 1292.John is a previous 1st national winner from Reims and his winner is a yearling hen DF1995 raced on roundabout going for only her second race of the year but from her picture is in super condition. She is bred from a Bruce McKenzie mealy cock a full brother to his 1st section 1st Open SNRPC Peterborough winner, crossed with a hen bought direct from Brian and Karen Hawes famous Leo van Rijn stock the sire being ‘Charmbrook Lion’ when he was paired to chequer hen ‘Louisiana’ a super racing hen winner of 1st open LNR Combine also 2nd and 4th LNR Combine, ‘Louisiana’ is a daughter of Brian’s number 1 stock cock ‘Champion Rock’s’ responsible for many combine winners from 350 to 500 miles. Photo of Rocks include plus photo 1995 another combine winner. Billy McEwan had 2 close on them doing 1282.9 and 1282.7: the first is a gift from Davie Glen which is also a yearling raced on widowhood, he was raced the full program as a baby, his next bird was bred from Bruce McKenzie stock on both sides.
East of Scotland Federation
News from Tom McEwen who wrote, ‘Hi Joe, the federation were at Melton Mowbray on the 18th of July with the convoy being liberated at 08-00 hours into a south west wind. Topping the federation and also winning 9th open is Graham Wardhaugh of Dirleton with a yearling chequer hen. This hen was also 2nd federation from Ridsdale this season. Her breeding is from Plateeum bloodlines from a pair which Graham obtained for stock. However he decided to give them a race to test them out, which resulted in him winning 1st & 2nd open as you can guess after this they were put in the stock loft. Grant, French & son from Haddington make a welcome return to the federation and celebrated with taking 2nd open. Former SNFC Gold Cup winner George Veitch of East Saltoun keeps up his good form finishing with a nice treble winning 3rd 6th & 10th open. Keith Howie of Prestonpans wins 4th open with his champion blue cock named ‘Blue Arrow’ who adds another ticket to his long list of top positions, he is a fantastic pigeon as you already know Joe. John Bird of Prestonpans keeps up his outstanding from with another top 10 treble winning 5th 7th & 8th open.
Andy McKenzie 2nd Fed
Prestonpans Homing Society
News from Tom McEwen who informs us that the winner of first club is Keith Howie with his great blue cock ‘Blue Arrow’ who adds yet another win to his long list of top positions. 2nd club is John Bird with a 2 year old roundabout cock winning his first ticket. His sire is one of John’s most consistent racers and is of Vandenabeele bloodlines. His dam who is since been lost was a Busschaert lines from T Nolan & son of Danderhall bought at Pentland federation young bird sale in 2017. Third club is John Bird with a yearling on roundabout she has been racing well this year. Her sire is a Vandenabeele lines, while her dam is a daughter of John Birds famous pigeon ‘Peg’ who won 2nd open SNFC Ypres race. Cheers once again Joe, wishing you and Kevin all the best for the national races coming up yours Tom’.
Fife Federation
The convoy of 674 birds were liberated at Coldstream on the 18th July at 11am into a west wind. The federation top 10 is won by Kennoway club members with the inform loft of Brain Chalmers taking the first 5 places with Tam Cook in 6th place with a yearling, Honeyman & son take the next 4 places. These same 3 fanciers take the same positions in the East Section which had the following birdage; Kennoway sent 123 birds; Leven 69; Methilhaven 92 and Tayport 4. Centre section had Glenrothes & Leslie sending 45 birds; Sean Diamond wins 1st 7th 8th 9th & 10th with Brian Kinnear winning from 2nd to 6th section. The West section had Crossgates sending 148 birds; Lochgelly 86 birds and Dunfermline sending 96 birds. Bob Wilson of Glenrothes club is 1st section with 2nd with Jim Doig of Lochgelly club in 2nd place. J Hynd & son of Crossgates wins 3rd 6th 7th & 8th positions. Glenrothes D Ferguson wins 4th & 5th places and Alistair McCudden of Crossgates is 9th with Jock Brockie of Lochgelly winning 10th section.
Pentlandhills Federation
News from Andy Miller who wrote ‘Hi Joe, the New Lothian Racing pigeon club and the Pentland Hills federation had their 5th race of the season on Saturday 18th July from Melton Mowbray a distance of 227 to 241 miles for the members with 12 clubs sending 1211 birds. Liberated in a south west wind turning west this turned out to be a good working fly for the birds, with good returns throughout. Winning both organisations for the 3rd time this season is the inform loft of Stuart Gilchrist, who timed his yearling Wildermeersch widowhood cock. The sire and dam of this pigeon were “Tappendale,” friends from Wales who Stuart met through Brian Chalmers from Kennoway. They have bred approximately 12 winner’s right through to a 3rd open Ypres National for Brian. Stuart was also 5th & 9th with Steve Lapinski of Woodburn in 2nd place. Willie Kinnear & son from Danderhall are 3rd with G Power of Arniston winning 4th place. J G Hutton of Edinburgh Premier is 6th with Freddie Robertson of Danderhall winning 7th spot. B Murray of Loanhead club wins 8th place and the partnership of Brown & Black from Woodburn make up the top 10 places.
Club Winners;
Edinburgh Premier 148 birds; 1st & 2nd Gilchrist 1282, 1266 3rd Hutton 1265
Woodburn 67 birds; 1st Lapinski 2nd & 3rd Brown & Black 1256 & 1250
Danderhall 355 birds; 1st & 3rd Kinnear 1271 & 1248; 2nd F Robertson 1261;
Arniston 174 birds; 1st G Power 2nd & 3rd W Pryde & son 1255 & 1229
Sighthill 97 birds; 1st & 2nd Miller 1247 & 1246 3rd Girdwood 1244
Easthouses 48 birds; 1st & 3rd Murray 1261 & 1230 2nd Greelis & Laing 1231
Loanhead 62 birds; 1st & 2nd Murray 1261 & 1221
Edinburgh West 53 birds; 1st & 3rd Verth 1245 & 1215; 2nd Lamb 1226
Castlebrae 49 birds; 1st & 2nd L Mitchell 1229 & 1215; 3rd Verth 1251
Bonnyrigg 93 birds; 1st MacGregor 1201, 2nd & 3rd Stark & Benson 1185 & 1180
Rosewell 35 birds;
New Lothian
The federation also held their midweek yearling nomination from Peterborough on Wednesday 15th July with 36th lofts prepaying 126 birds; 30 actual lofts sent 79 birds. Liberated at 06-00 hours into a light south west wind,, with the winning pigeon timed to the Gilmerton loft of ‘Super Ally Robertson’ who wins £1555.00 for his efforts; sorry no details on the winner. He was 4th & 5th winning another £560 into the bargain. The winner was closely followed by 2 widowhood hens of Franz Zwols to Willie Pryde & Son of Gorebridge who win £1310, these 3 birds were a park length in front so well done to both lofts. T Nolan & son of Danderhall are 6th with Black & Robertson from the same club in 7th spot. L Mitchell of Castlebrae club is 8th with J Dewar of Arniston in 9th place with Brown & Black of Woodburn club are 10th winning £795 for their efforts. A total of £5035-00 was paid out; well done to all the above fanciers.
North of Scotland Federation
News from George Duthie with the result of the Worksop old bird race flown on 19th July with 53 members sending 580 birds these were liberated into a light northwest wind. East section had 24 members sending 244 birds with Eric & Nicky Yule of Inverurie had 3 birds drop together to take the first 3 places in the east section and federation. Colin McRae of Fraserburgh & District is 4th 5th 10th 17th & 25th east section & 4th 5th 10th 17th 19th & winning 30th open. A W Buchan of Fraserburgh & District wins 6th 7th 9th 13th 15th 20th east section 6th 7th 9th 13th 16th & 25th open. R Barclay of Fraserburgh West End club is 8th 11th & 12 east section and open. The West section had 29 members sending 336 birds and the winners are R Hay & Family of Devern Valley club win 1st west section 14th open. Robbie Higgins of Fraserburgh West End club is 14th & 19th east section 15th & 23rd open with my old mate Stuart Maskame of Peterhead & District winning 16th east section 17th open. G Wilson of Devern Valley club wins 2nd & 5th west section 18th & 24th open. Fulton & Ritchie loft 2 of Devern Valley club win 3rd west section 20th open with N Raymond of Devern Valley club winning 4th west section 21st open. R McKenzie of Inverurie is 18th east section 22nd open with G Wilson of Devern Valley club winning 5th west section 24th open. L Lindsay & J Paterson of Fraserburgh & District win 21st & 22nd east section and 26th & 27th open. W Henderson of Fraserburgh West End club wins 23rd east section 28th open and A Robb of Inverurie club wins 24th east section 29th open. R Wilson of Keith club wins 6th 8th 9th & 10th west section 31st 33rd 34th & 35th open. His club mate A J Reid wins 7th west section 32nd open.
Clubs First Bird
E & N Yule win Inverurie
C McRae wins Fraserburgh & District.
R Barclay wins Fraserburgh West End.
R Hay & Family win Devern Valley.
S Maskame wins Peterhead & District
R Wilson wins D Keith
J Thomson wins Elgin & District
J Cumming wins Buckie & District
C Reid wins Inverness & District
Well done to Eric & Nicky Yule on topping the federation and to A Buchan on winning the east section; and to R Hay & Family on winning the west section Cheers Joe all the best to you and Kevin in the nationals George Duthie.
Traprain HS
News from John Baillie who writes ‘Hi Joe,
Joe’s Joke
A wealthy old lady decides to go on a photo safari in Africa, taking her poodle along for company. One day the poodle starts chasing butterflies and before long, discovers that he's lost. Wandering about, he notices a hungry-looking leopard heading rapidly in his direction. The poodle thinks, "Uh, oh!" Noticing some bones on the ground close by, he immediately settles down to chew on the bones with his back to the approaching cat. Just as the leopard is about to leap, the poodle exclaims loudly, "Boy, that was one delicious leopard! I wonder if there are any more around here?" Hearing this, the leopard halts his attack in mid-strike, a look of terror comes over him and he slinks away into the trees. "Whew!" says the leopard. "That was close! That poodle nearly had me!" Meanwhile, a monkey who had been watching the whole scene from a nearby tree, figures he can put this knowledge to good use and trade it for protection from the leopard. So off he goes, but the poodle sees him heading after the leopard with great speed, and figures that something must be up. The monkey soon catches up with the leopard, spills the beans and strikes a deal for himself with the leopard. The leopard is furious at being made a fool of and says, "Here, monkey, hop on my back so you can watch me chew that poodle to bits!" Now, the poodle sees the leopard coming with the monkey on his back and thinks, "What am I going to do now?" but instead of running, the dog sits down with his back to his attackers, pretending he hasn't seen them yet, and waits until they get just close enough to hear. "Where's that damn monkey?" the poodle says. "I sent him off an hour ago to bring me another leopard!"
Please continue to keep the news flowing; to Joe Murphy Mystical Rose Cottage 2 Flutorum Avenue Thornton by Kirkcaldy KY1 4BD or phone 01592 770331 or Email to
Who wish my weekly contribution portfolio on pigeon topics from Scotland
© Compiled by Joe Murphy
