Swimming with the enemy

 

Credit for the image:  the  Guardian

"As a child, I saw shock flash in my grandfather’s eyes when he was accosted by a swan. I have been terrified ever since. But I want to find peace with these beautiful birds"

Thanks to JP of Pakefield for bringing this 'shocking' article to our attention!

It came upon the midnight clear

 

'Mute Night' 

Still through the cloven skies they come

With peaceful wings unfurled

And still their heavenly music floats

                                   O'er all the weary world                                          

Swans were luxury goods in Europe from at least the 12th century onward; the Medieval equivalent of flashing a Rolex or driving a Lamborghini. Owning swans signaled nobility, along with flying a hawk, running hounds or riding a battle-trained destrier (a knight's warhorse). Swans were eaten as a special dish at feasts, served as a centerpiece in their skin and feathers with a lump of blazing incense in the beak - the medieval equivalent of a 'Slutty Kebab'. They were particularly associated with Christmas, when they would be served in large numbers at royal feasts; forty swans were ordered for Henry III’s Christmas celebrations in 1247 at Winchester (not to be confused with The Winchester a 'watering-hole' associated with minders and  zombies ).

A Merry Christmas 2021 to all 'Blog Readers and Swan Fanciers' around the world and let us not forget, that during the Yuletide Festivities, those mute white feathered buggers are almost undetectable in the snow.

Camouflage

 

The swan is perfectly adapted for guerilla warfare. Note how these two blend into the background, their distinctive 'swan' outlines lost amongst the reeds. Devious buggers!

International Swan Observance Day - March 03 - 2021

 

A snapshot of one of those idyllic moments when the blue of the sky and the white plumage of a solitary swan are reflected in the still waters of Oulton Marsh. How different from those dark days in the 1940s when all that stood between dear 'Old Blighty' and wave after wave of incoming swans was the RAF's crack Swan Squadron based at 'Biggun Hill'. 

On International Swan Day 2021 we should all observe a moment of reverent silence in respect for those brave boys in blue who stood tall in the face of overwhelming odds with only a case of light ale, six stubby Joe Coral pencils and a bag of stale breadcrumbs with which to defend themselves - The RAFs crack Swan Squadron.

March 03 is, coincidentally, the birthday of the late Joe Roberts . Joe was an exceptionally modest man who never discussed his national service in public but I believe that he did his bit when the call came. He also favoured 'cross win doubles' , Birds Superwhip, 'holding the bells' and the 'feature' on the 'fruity'. Truly a legend amongst swans and on the bowls rink!

On a darker note, the editorial team were intrigued to discover that Swans are a recurring theme in the work of tattooists, skin artists and those who are designated as "becoming".

On the 2nd of March, the swan editorial team was delighted to see the return of a pair of mating Swans to the calm waters of Oulton Broad and  just in time for Swan Observance Day. Their prolonged absence has been truly 'troubling" and an ongoing concern  for 'JP' of Pakefield.

We would like to thank Lulu from Milton for sending the following swan images from the upper reaches of the Thames. Joe would have really been intimidated "They've got a lot of bleedin' neck!"

Wherever you are in the world, have an exceptional Swan Observance Day 2021 but please stay safe and don't turn your back on any of the buggers!

Where have the buggers gone?

 

No Swans on Oulton Broad !

Have they abandoned the sinking ship like so many Rattus Norvegicus or have they just withdrawn to regroup and attack 'bread vans' when we least expect it?