NRCC Lerwick Liberation 2006

Lerwick, Shetland 15th July 2006

5.00am in Shetland & the summer sun is already well-up. An early morning mist is clearing as the phone rings from Brian Garnham enquiring as to the weather conditions in Shetland. "Good conditions with a light southerly wind this end."

5.25am By the time we get into the lib site at Seafield Phil Ringe has three minutes to go!  A few spectators have arrived to watch as the lads make final preparations.

This is the culmination of months and indeed years of work by hundreds of fanciers from the south of England.  Pedigrees and plans, breeding, rearing, losses and successes, bad times and good times, and all condensed down to this day.

5.30am The flaps are dropped and the birds stream up and away, swinging south over the sea towards home. A batch breaks, circles and climbs very high over us, then they too purposefully head south.
 

A good liberation with no stragglers.

Congratulations to Phil and Marv.

All the very best to all those taking part.

Hope returns are good.

Kenny Gifford
Shetland RPC.

ps. click on the images to enlarge!

Phil & Marvin in action | enlarge

Into the early morning sun | enlarge

Streaming south over Bressay sound | enlarge

Spectators watch the last birds go | enlarge

Sun's bright even at 5.30am | enlarge