I am still in shock at the recent drama that saw myself and my faithful, if totally useless, sidekick Truffle being witnesses to a horrific event that unfolded in the Singapore skies.
Sunday
started easily, with a long swim in the pool, a bit of yogurt and the
decision to go and see my girl this morning rather than this afternoon. So, I got dressed, grabbed my rucksack and Truffle's, called a taxi and got to the animal pet lovers center in no time. Truffle was ecstatic and covered me in kisses but we had not time for cuddles and I whisked her away for a walk. My intention was to walk to the reservoir, cool down and walk back, easy peasy lemon squeazy
as DOT would say. The walk to the reservoir passes along a wide open
space that people use for their kite flying and model airplane flying
excursions.
Truffle
and I sat down to look at a solitary little white Chesna like airplane
elegantly soaring through the air and plunging down in what looked like a
suicide mission only to lift up again barely a few centimeters from the
ground. We were very intent in watching this scene , or at least I was
as Truffle was more interested in the dead skin of a lizard that had
been flattened a few days earlier and she was trying desperately to eat
it.
All
of a sudden I see a dark shadow pass over me. An enormous eagle, regal,
silent, and, as would turn out soon, deadly, glides over our heads. I
look at her in full admiration, so beautiful, so majestic and I marvel
at the way she dances in the sky. But instead of flying away she turns around and starts to fly in great circles above our heads. At first I am intrigued but then the circles get smaller and I start to get a sense of unease as this was the same behavior another eagle had shown one Easter day on Lake Garda while Kelly was sniffing around. Truffle is 5 times the size of Kelly and I cannot believe the eagle would attack us.
As it turns out however we were not the focus of her attention. From a lazy circling around the skies all of a sudden she darts down and attacks the Chesna
grabbing it with her talons and then letting go. The little airplane is
no match for the giant bird and the owner can only watch helplessly while the Chesna spirals toward the ground in a scene reminiscent of WW1 airplane combat.
Truffle
and I are right below and we scramble to safety under a tree, not that
that silly bag of bones would know what danger is if it stared at her in
the eyes. The plane crashes and the owner runs to inspect the damage. The tail is split in two, the Chesna is dead, my jaw is dropping in disbelief, Truffle is inspecting a caterpillar.
We get out of under the tree and walk to the reservoir.
We sit down on the steps, under the canopy in search for some peace and
quiet,Truffle nuzzles me and at first I think she wants to find a way
to calm my nerves but she only wants a nibble so I throw her a piece of
chicken and all is well
