cruising postponed

After stacking all our stuff needed for the first cruise of the season in the hall, the car refused to start. Lottie jumped into the back and lay down and was puzzled when we didn't load the car. Worse still the engineer couldn’t come over until 5.00. Fortunately he arrived with a battery which fixed the problem. Maybe it was just as well as it was the hottest day of the year so far and would have been sweltering work dragging all our stuff from the car along the pontoon to our boat. We left the provisions in the hall overnight and Lottie our thieving hound left them alone. Maybe she is a reformed character now she’s 6 years old.

Andy's Birds of Prey

I had a super visit to the Cornish bird of prey centre. It was thrilling to see the birds in action at such close quarters and I learnt more about various birds of prey from Andy’s display.

I watched the Hawks, Falcons & Eagles display but later on there was an owl display. Andy introduced his smallest hawk followed by a pair of falcons and ended the display with a swift eagle chasing the lure as Andy swung it through the air. its aerial acrobatics were amazing and too fast for my cameraman.

The whoosh of the birds flying overhead scared the youngest grandchild. she slid off the bench and curled up by her mother's feet well out of the flight path and peeped through her fingers. after that all she wanted was to go on the swing again. 

 

 

 

The centre was well laid out and well worth a visit. the shop had some interesting items for sale including some superb birds of prey carved from wood, owl embelished tee-shirts and my books.

The Centre also had other attractions. My eldest grand daughter was thrilled by the zip wire ride while the youngest was happy on a swing. I had the happy task of signing books while my husband pushed the swing to the chant of more Grandad!

Fifteen Questions for Andy Grigg, the owner of The Cornish Bird of Prey Centre

 

1            When did you first get interested in birds of prey?

At the very young age of ten but didn't get to own my own bird until I was 12.

2                What’s the best thing about running the Cornish Bird of Prey Centre?

Rescuing the many unwanted Birds/Animals and giving them a forever home here at the centre.  Educating the public about the Art of Falconry and how things have changed over the years.   Also getting to do what I love to do each day, Flying my Birds.

 

3                And what’s the worst?

Having to deal with unruly children.  It's generally not the child's fault but the parents who want peace and quiet, so send the kids off to make their own fun.  Kicking/Throwing stones around the centre, chucking food to the birds etc, just so the parents can sit, have a cup of tea in peace and constantly be on their phones.  When you tell them what their child has been up to we then get a mouthful and get told you're not a child friendly establishment.
 

4                Have you ever had an embarrassing moment?

When flying the birds during displays and they decide they don't fancy chasing the lure and they want to show their real natural capabilities, and go off and catch a rabbit.
 

 

5                Do you offer education experiences for schools?

Yes we do offer educational trips into schools.  We generally take a selection of birds with us.
 

6                Tell us about you working experience before you opened the centre.

Before purchasing the centre in 2007 we ran our own business called "Passage School of Falconry" where we worked all around the UK doing Displays at Country Shows and other tourist attractions, Falconry Experiences and School Talks.

7                Did you like bird or animal books when you were a child?

No, I was never very good at school.  I didn't like being indoors, I just wanted to be out with my birds.

8                What did you want to be when you were twelve?

I always wanted to be a Falconer.

9                What is your proudest achievement?

Meeting my wife and having three lovely daughters.

10             What would you like to see happen in the future?

Stop the poaching of animals to the point of extinction and world peace.

11             What are your fondest memories?

Walking the dogs with my mum.  She sadly passed away 2 years ago at only 57.

 

12             Tell us about your hobbies away from the birds.

I don't really have any hobbies, as the birds are my life.  Having over 100 birds to care for day in and day out, I don't really have time for hobbies.  I do however love dogs, especially watching gundogs working.

13             Where do you hope to be when you’re 70?

I would love to be retired and have my own croft up in Scotland.  I know its never going to happen though as my wife and kids do not like the cold.

 

14             What would be your dream holiday?   Again my dream holiday is to go to Scotland, in the middle of  no-where, with nobody else around, just me and the birds.

 
 

15             What superpower would you like to have?

I would love to be able to fly. 

 

Thank you Andy for your interesting interview. It has been a pleasure to meet someone who is doing what he always wanted to do - and still loves it.