On New Years Day there were several sightings of a seagull flying about the harbour
here wearing combat boots - yes, that right, combat boots......not a thing we see much,
even on Happy Hangover Day, and something of a mystery.

The solution presented itself in the form of a pair of RSPB types, who turned up looking for
all the world like members of their shadowy Special Operations Executive or something.
They certainly managed to get to the bottom of things in impressively short order. Soon
after their arrival, they had captured the bird - a cunning ruse involving a pasty generously
donated by the local bakery did the trick - and relieved it of the inappropriate footwear.

Before long the seagull was seen perched comfortably on the button of a mast and trying
to swallow half a pasty in one go. Its rescuers - both nursing nasty looking finger wounds
inflicted by the ungrateful little bugger - supposed that it must have been found asleep
by some New Years Eve revellers the night before, who decided to shove it's feet into
a pair of Action Man boots (as you do).

So here's the thing - not wishing to cast aspersions or anything, but you understand
that I have to ask - were any of our 1/6th scale modellers out there responsible ?
It goes without saying, of course, that should you decide to come forward you can
be completely assured of my discretion - my lips will be sealed. Mum is most
definitely the word.....no names, no pack drill.......right ?

Mike

There was a suggestion, Kev, that the gull attacked the RSPB blokes because it was miffed at losing the boots.
It might have taken a shine to them or something, and objected to some interfering humans trying to pinch
them - guess we'll never know........

St.Ives has form for New Year's Eve pranks - like the time when a 20 foot fibreglass Gorilla mysteriously appeared
standing like a Colossus at the end of the pier, or when a fishing tender was found on the church roof. The list could
and probably will go on....

Happy New Year
Mike

This should come with subtitles.

The things that Brits have done with your language.

I had to read it twice before I realized they weren't full size boots..

Bill

I think it was a fairy disguised as a seagull...…….
"Fairies wear boots and you gotta believe me"......at least that's what doctor Ozzy Osborne said........
For those that still remember....

First it was Bovver Boys; ... but Bovver Seagulls ..



Now I've seen everything ...


Cheers,
Andrew

Oh....the Bowery Boys......I love those guys...….

Brad, I think it was George Bernard Shaw who said "England and America are two countries
separated by the same language"................I'll try to remember that and do better in future.

All the best
Mike

In view of Brads comment earlier, here is a quick glossary of terms to help those
who need it navigate a way through the maze:-

St. Ives a small and traditional fishing village in the far south-west of Britain,
where generations of interbreeding has produced a population which
enjoys playing tricks and practical jokes on itself.

Seagull a wild sea bird approximately the size of a duck, not given in its natural
state to wearing boots.

RSPB Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, a charitable organisation whose
patron is Her Majesty the Queen.

Pasty a baked savoury delicacy containing beef and vegetables wholly contained
in pastry. Vegetarian alternatives are available but purists consider them a
travesty and try not to even think about the wretched things.

Mast Button that little round flat bit that sits on the top of a boat mast

Action Man British version of GI Joe approximately 1/6th scale and very often given to
wearing boots

Point of order! We are not allowed [officially] to call them seagulls! They are gulls only! [or flying rats!]
Proper job tho me ansome!
Ian

Point of order... flying rats are pigeons. I believe (sea)gulls are known as flying bins.

Gulls are a bit of a fixture here of course, so we often take them for granted. Some of
our old people still see them as the souls of dead fishermen, but for most of us they're
just a noisesome nuisance - so they're called many names very few of which are printable.
Still, visitors tend to like'em (...ker-ching !!! )

Mike

I think Wellies would have been more appropriate....but who am I to judge!?

Down in Aberystwyth (West Wales ) , we used to call them " Shitehawks", as their excreta is often showered on those promenading along the seafront. A friend of mine (shush,now!) once caught and cooked one, but said even with a decent sauce, it tasted of rank fish
Used to see quite a few with only one, or part of one, leg missing. And no, it wasn't that a leg was tucked up whilst it was resting. They hopped.

Alan

Yep - that's one of the names on the list, Alan ! When it happened here to a tourist once, he appealed for a piece of
toilet paper. "No point boy" he was told, ".......bloody thing'll be miles away by now !"

Mike