Sunday saw the second Hutton Kirk Duck Race since we arrived -it comes up about once
every five years-more frequently the excitement might be unbearable for us folks used to the slow pace of rural life. No actual ducks were in jeopardy; the ALF need have no fears about abuse or inappropriate behaviour involving.say, forcing non-swimming ducks to take partthus infringing animal rights. 900 plastic ones are involved. Numbered from 1 to, er, 900 they race in 9 heats down a short stretch of the Whiteadder not-so-rapids-the 3 fastest in each heat go through to a grand final. 900 numbers are previously sold on a first come basis-50p a go and if your number coincides with that of a winning duck (one in each heat) or THe Winning Duck, then, VictorLudorum, you are in pocket-sweeties or cash. The images here and the three above, will I hope illustrate the procedure from the starting gate-the shovel bit of a mechanical digger which ensures that the ducks can start from the middle of the river to the long-stop-boat below the finishing line which fields those ducks smart enough to elude the lads scooping up the finishers. The digital (as in finger operated) scoreboard, the official camera person, the stewards up to their whats its in fast flowing water, the close finishes, the tense and expectant spectators having a welcome break from the banality shoot outs *of the World Cup.

Huttonian wondered about cheating, duck fixing, having seen a steward's duck come in the top three in one heat. Difficult-(a) you can scarcely see the numbers as the ducks shoot past ad so it would be difficult to identify 'yours for favourable treatment and (b) you could hardly get away with even the most surreptitious nudge or flick with so many watchful eyes upon you never mind the danger of action replays by the video camera person.


Huttonian and the wife left empty handed- our numbers did not come up and we went before the Grand Final as the wife needed to pack for World Tour, Stage Two. Thursday he Middle East, Monday it must be Africa


(* Penalty surely-blog ed)

Click on images for full visiblity-more above  ¶ 8:57 PM