The boat left the marina the day I bought it and was away for three months. Upon returning I met Billy. He lived at the marina and was known to everyone. I'd seen him while visiting but had not been introduced of course. However, I gathered that Billy was reserved and tended to keep his distance. I'm also short on detail regarding his activities for the months the boat was away as I only rarely visited while it was in Hillmorton. It has nothing to do with Billy's Story, but mooring fees are annual and apply whether the boat is in the marina or not and the fees included use of facilities. So I was welcome to call and did so as to get to know the inmates and staff and hw the marina operated and I saw Billy from time to time in the distance. However, I became better acquainted with everyone upon my return to the marina, with my boat fixed, early in May and stayed on the boat from time to time during the Summer.
Billy was disabled and had been at the marina 'for some time' according to my informants. He had 'Angel Wing' and had never flown. Did I mention that Billy was a goose? Well, actually he was a gander, a grounded gander, who had mated that Spring with a flighty inbound Canada goose and subsequent nuptials had caused nature to take its course.
There was Billy with his young missus and four fine goslings recently hatched. It was amazing to see the fluffy babies develop from 'pike dinners' to fully-feathered adults over a period of just a few months.
They could be quite raucous as they grew but were part of the sounds of the canal and the marina and waterway life. I was able to observe their first take-offs in late May, then the flight training, as Mom-plus-four flew overhead dropping guff on grounded Billy.
The overhead sorties developed into cross countries. Billy would honk support from the ground in the same loud voice that had gained him a mate while I was away.
He kept house, as a stay-at-home Dad, until his family would return from their outings. There was always lots of animated honking in the evenings as they discussed their day. Then, one morning, late in July, I was awakened by urgent honking overhead.
The squadron was aloft and quite obviously calling down at Billy to join them. Billy was uncharacteristically quiet. The squadron continued to circle. The guff got more urgent. Then, after what seemed like hours, everything went quiet aloft.
I had been preparing to depart on an overnight cruise and once I started the engine, I heard nothing more anyway.
I was away for about two days and, when I returned, Billy was there. The squadron was gone. I never saw them again.
Nor did Billy.
Billy was disabled and had been at the marina 'for some time' according to my informants. He had 'Angel Wing' and had never flown. Did I mention that Billy was a goose? Well, actually he was a gander, a grounded gander, who had mated that Spring with a flighty inbound Canada goose and subsequent nuptials had caused nature to take its course.
There was Billy with his young missus and four fine goslings recently hatched. It was amazing to see the fluffy babies develop from 'pike dinners' to fully-feathered adults over a period of just a few months.
They could be quite raucous as they grew but were part of the sounds of the canal and the marina and waterway life. I was able to observe their first take-offs in late May, then the flight training, as Mom-plus-four flew overhead dropping guff on grounded Billy.
The overhead sorties developed into cross countries. Billy would honk support from the ground in the same loud voice that had gained him a mate while I was away.
He kept house, as a stay-at-home Dad, until his family would return from their outings. There was always lots of animated honking in the evenings as they discussed their day. Then, one morning, late in July, I was awakened by urgent honking overhead.
The squadron was aloft and quite obviously calling down at Billy to join them. Billy was uncharacteristically quiet. The squadron continued to circle. The guff got more urgent. Then, after what seemed like hours, everything went quiet aloft.
I had been preparing to depart on an overnight cruise and once I started the engine, I heard nothing more anyway.
I was away for about two days and, when I returned, Billy was there. The squadron was gone. I never saw them again.
Nor did Billy.
A naturalist friend explained the most likely scenario over pints at the Admiral Nelson, when he saw my photos and heard my tale
He said Angel Wing occurs in waterfowl, more frequently in males and, if only one wing is affected it will be the left.
Billy was a classic. However, most of his wing feathers had developed on that side so he never looked as awful as the pictures you come across on the web.
I left the area entirely in mid August but was told later that Billy had not survived.
He said Angel Wing occurs in waterfowl, more frequently in males and, if only one wing is affected it will be the left.
Billy was a classic. However, most of his wing feathers had developed on that side so he never looked as awful as the pictures you come across on the web.
I left the area entirely in mid August but was told later that Billy had not survived.
Unable to fly, he became a mid-winter takeaway for a needy fox.
