As I was picking my breakfast tomato the rising sun blinded me from the east and from that direction my friend in Moscow came to mind! Perhaps he is already flying his sparrowhawk around his garden? The mailman brought me 'Orientations' and 'Adriaan Mollen', books he had thoughtfully sent me.
In recent correspondence with my friend I had reflected that having been Executive Secretary of IAF for many years I have watched its evolution and growth with much satisfaction.
For many years I was Editor for the British Falconers' Club, first in creating their upgraded Newsletter (controversially introducing advertising and sales) and then the 'Falconer', the club's annual journal. It was all very interesting and great fun, a good preparation for my term as BFC President during which we produced a very large book, free to all members. During this period publishing became available to everybody as technology rapidly evolved.
It is rather sobering to recall that I was first a member of BFC in 1967! A very long apprenticeship in the world of falconry politics, hand in hand with my career in the creation of airfield commercial bird control and industrial bird control I have long appreciated the niceties of differentiation between the art of falconry and the world of commercial raptor use, very hot topics whenever the subject is raised!
When a group of us first got together in the 90's to restructure IAF and move it forward with Christian de Coune then at the helm, onto the path that has today resulted in this vibrant organisation, such things as the recent recognition by UNESCO of the 'Intangible Cultural Heritage of Falconry' were a distant dream. It has been a long journey, attending many conferences, dealing with governments, clubs and individuals from all walks of life, encouraging harmony and optimism. At times hard to resist the inevitable challengers and special interest group agendas it is wonderful to see IAF's integrity enhanced and in tact with its unique credibility in so many areas worldwide.
Last weekend we shot grouse over our setters on East Allenheads in glorious weather, it could not have been more enjoyable. I was watching the sire of my current litter of pups working the beautifully managed heather, still with honey bees working the few remaining blossoms for them to fill the hives lined up in the shelter of the dry stone wall.
Brochan was on the highest part of the moor with a magnificent view across to Muggleswick and Wemmergill, all so refreshing in the crisper northern air after the mildness and almost Mediterranean climate of Norfolk. We lunched in the heather with a few brace in the bag and Andy Ellis speculating about the wolf spider crossing his boot.
Our litter of pups have grown apace and now past the cuddly stage they are starting to become real fun. Each day we now load them all into a kennel and barrow them out to the paddocks, avoiding the distractions of the setters in the yard, and with the cockers to lead and respond to the whistle, their first explorations of this wider world can start. They will soon pick it all up and already it's an adventure looked forward to each day.
Next week sees the official start of the pheasant season when my Peregrines can really start their business. Three of the team have now fitness enough to be high flyers and the fourth is nearly there, I wonder where the pheasants are hiding? They keep eating the wheat I distribute and ducks are coming to the ponds - my farming friend has finished his sowing for another year, the fields become tranquil again but it takes a while for confidence to return. What a wonderful way of life blessed by autumn mists and dew, mushrooms litter the paddock, brilliant afternoon sunshine with long shadows across the lawn reaching for the concrete yard, late afternoon pink glow shining through the open door deep into the mews making the hawks magical with colour on the screen before evening. Some call it an Indian summer but no, it's just Norfolk!
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