Sunday 11 April 2021

Seeking UFOs in Dechmont

Its been a quick week. Firstly, allow me to introduce Missys new siblings:

Meet Rowntree, Cadbury and Fry (L-R). They are not the whim they seem to be as hubby and I have discussed keeping birds for years and, looking into ideas for my eldest nephew who has decided he wants a pet, I found these three seeking a new home. They were with the SSPCA and their previous owner had passed away.

Its no secret that the SSPCA is bursting at the seams with unwanted animals, but I was still shocked at the speed we got these guys. I filled in the application Monday (kudos to the SSPCA, the questionnaire was very focused on life after covid, they don't want these poor animals coming back) and two hours later they called asking for a letter saying the vets were able to accept them and that they wanted to see a video of the set up. So, I purchased the cage and emailed the vets.

Tuesday we got the OK from the vets. Wednesday the cage arrived and we assembled it (its a flight cage, I was panicking it wasn't big enough for three budgies but, seeing the boys in it, realise my fear was completely unfounded). Thursday morning I sent the video in and at 10.30, half an hour after the rehoming office opened, we were officially approved and could we take them today? 3.30pm and they were in the cage, startled and a bit bewildered, but safe.

Missy on Thursday was obsessed. She watched them with great interest, although not in a predatory way - I've seen her stalk enough rabbits and squirrels to know when that instinct has come to play. Anf on Friday she couldn't care less, choosing to sunbathe in the window rather than see them. An arrangement that suits me fine. They sit in my office with me and have already delighted half my colleagues with their chirping. Once they are out of their shells a little bit, expect more updates on them!

And a note on names, yes, chocolates. Not just chocolates, but the original British Quaker families who I consider the founding fathers of chocolate as we know it. 


In other news, I couldnt risk Missy feeling left out, and so we scoped out some new and interesting walks. We had visited a friend who I needed to measure up for a waistcoat (goodness knows what his neighbours thought, us all in masks in the garden and me with a measuring tape!) who recommended the UFO walk. I've been in West Lothian almost 8 years now and had never heard of it - proof that you never know every secret in your area!

The Dechmont UFO walk was the perfect way to start the day this morning. The story goes that, on November 9th, 1979, Robert Taylor, a forestry worker, walked along a forest path up the side of Dechmont Law with his dog. He reported seeing what a "flying dome" above the forest floor in a clearing about 500m away from his truck. He was then seized by small spheres that dragged him away until he lost consciousness. Sceptics think it was an epileptic seizure, but lets not let that get in the way of a good story.


Regardless of the history of the area, it was a lovely woodland walk - just the kind of place that Missys like best. It was good to see her running ahead of us and sniffing out rabbits. We didn't climb Dechmont Law, deciding to save that for another day, and have added it to the roster of local walks to do with friends and family.

Its just begun to snow. It feels more early March than near mid April!

1 comment:

  1. Those boys are cute! Can't wait to hear about their antics!

    And a UFO walk?! Never heard of it! Good that your still discovering things local to you!

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