Well not exactly TT but related thanks to Phillip McCallen. A homing pigeon suddenly flew almost smack into us nearly a week ago. With all the rings on its legs it obviously belonged to someone but it wouldn't let us get too close. So we gave it some corn and water, thinking it would shunt off in the morning. But it stayed and we finally caught it. We then found the owner, after various internet research, who lives in Northern Ireland and he was amazed the bird was here. He then said he knew lots about the Island because he was a good friend of Phillip McCallen.. Well following his advice, we locked it in a small area overnight with water but no food and let it go very early next morning, but it flew straight back here. This morning, we took it to the beach at Kirk Michael, Glen Wyllin and let it go but by the time we got home ( about 2 miles as the crow flies/ probably 2.5 as the pigeon flies) there it was.

Is anyone heading from IOM to N. Ireland and able to accommodate said pigeon on the journey, or offer the poor chap a home ( it really is a very friendly bird and will pop in the house if you leave a door open) or failing that does anyone like pigeon liver pate.

Yes, hardly TT, but a slim connection with it. Anyway, the next TT is so far away and I really enjoyed seeing McCallen in the parade.

My wife and I met Phil a couple of years ago at the UGP. He was wheeling an ST 1050 into a van at the end of race day, been used by a marshall for the week I think. He stopped and posed for a photo and a chat. I know it's sometimes an overused cliche but in his case I'd say he was a true gent and a great ambassador for the sport and he was able to give a little of his time to us. He wished us well and with a cheery wave pushed his bike into the van.

Does this help you with your pigeon? Not really. But your post did jog the memory. alf

Well done jasjas you did better than these guys

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUb761oGt4g

Best u keep the Bird cos if you send it back it will only end up in the Pot

Is it a stool pigeon..

with all this bird flu malarky flying about [haha], is it still legal to fly pidgys from one country to another? what happens if said pidge gets blown into a field containing infected birds and then finds its way home to n i, spreading the disease as it goes? personally i'd shoot the lot and pie them just like speckled jim in blackadder.
ade!

Some very amusing responses from you all. Thanks for that. But I suppose the bottom line is that no one wants to escort the pigeon back to N. Ireland. It seems remarkably at home here despite various predators and other livestock hazards amd likes to follow the humans around - I find that bizarre having been brought up on a fair to huge quantity of pigeon pie/stew/casserole/pate.

Still, to get back to the subject of McCallen - it was splendid to see him on the parade on Senior Race day and a few others besides. Although I would have put money on Haga just doing a "waving" lap, which is certainly what he was doing as he passed me. I presume I'm right in thinking he has never ridden the course before.

Anyway, must go and intercept the stool pigeon's latest transmission....

I'd love to have Pigey to stay, but apart from the fact I have a cat (ginger, of course) coming for her holidays, he'd just fly back to you, jasjas, cos he LOVES you!

The pigeon would love Castletown, just so long as it is fed. It has taken up residence here in a barn with a group of ferral cats and the hounds are happy to give it a few frights, but it glides along in an almost regal state and nothing touches it. PM me the Witch, if you really could accommodate this endearing fowl.