"With Distance in Mind"

LOU`S NEWS

BARCELONA 2009!!!!!!!!!

Well where to begin? It was all so hectic. We had been waiting for this since we moved here some 2 1\2 years ago and here we were basketing our team of 2 year olds ready for their final race, probably the most famous in pigeon racing, The Barcelona International. The atmosphere down the pigeon club was electric, the weather was sticky and hot and everyone was on a high with excitement, and the relief I felt to finally have them in the basket was indescribable. We had a house full and a garden full too!! With caravans camper vans and tents.

A fancier who has pigeons with us and has supported us from the start, Liam O`Griobzin from Ireland, flew on planes and took trains to get here to wait for his birds to come home, so thank you Liam, that was a great deal of effort made to come here. It was lovely to meet you at last; my John had met him before as he flew to England for our first auction. You could say he’s a bit keen!!

Liam with my mum’s best buddy Joan.

 

We even had a phone call from Mr Frans Rigole of “DREAM BREED” lofts to ask if it was ok for him to come and watch the birds come home. Of course we were delighted for him to be here. He arrived at 5am laden down with Belgian beer which was consumed for breakfast!!!. He came with his son-in-law, who I call Bill, who spoke very good English, amongst about 4 or 5 other languages!

Of course John & Linda Tyerman were here - they holidayed here for 2 weeks, plus Paul and Janet Rennison. Our good friend Johnny Palmer of Brighton got a lift from Paul and Janet’s son Kevin and my John collected him from Abbeville at 2am Saturday morning.Our good buddy John Harverson arrived at 7am, my mum and her best buddy Joan were here as it was also our Sophie-Lou’s second birthday 4th July then as the evening wore on more friends arrived to join in the celebrations!!!

The weather was so hot that the followers of pigeons moved around the garden trying to hide from the sun's incessant rays, just to fill you in on how hot it was for them poor birds flying.

We were very excited when at 12.55.14 (French time of course) we clocked our first arrival GB07N87371, a Chq Pied Hen Bred by Crammond & Langstaff of Fontwell.

Chq pied hen 1st back home. Bred by Crammond & Langstaff

 

I’ll include this written for you by John Tyerman..

“Many readers will have been following the  McGee/Tyerman Barcelona Challenge loft reports over the past two years and the finale came on Friday, 3rd July, when our 70 entries were liberated at 08-45 hours, (GMT) from Barcelona along with 27,627 International pigeons. The 70 pigeons were the birds remaining from the original 99 entered late in 2007, and they had been well trained and raced out to Angouleme 350 miles as yearlings, and prior to going to Barcelona had four races out to 200 miles, plus several 40 mile training tosses from Amiens. Having handled all the candidates, prior to basket ting they were in superb condition and all were sent sitting between 12/14 days on eggs. The atmosphere at the Hesdin International marking station was best described as 'electric' with French fanciers coming from all parts of the Nord Pas De Calais Region with their Barcelona entries. This was my first visit to the Hesdsin Club and over a beer there was much friendly banter and speculation about the forthcoming Barcelona race. There were some very favourable comments as the markers put our entries through. The French International entry was around 2500 birds, the majority coming from thenorthern area of France. After being race rubbered in France the birds were then taken to the central marking station in Belgium where they were wing-coded and then placed into the race panniers forthe long journey to Barcelona.

The weather in France had been very hot in the week leading up to the race and at Hernicourt we encountered major electrical storms and torrential rain the day prior to liberation, with these storms being fairly widespread throughout the whole of France, due to the high temperatures, in excess of 30C. By race day it was somewhat cooler in Northern France, but still very hot in the south, so it was never going to be an easy race over the 625 miles back to the lofts at Hernicourt, or indeed for any of the birds wherever they were homing to. Meteo France weather showed variable winds but mainly northerly over the route and quite strong headwinds as the birds came up from  Barcelona towards Perpignan and Narbonne.

Once the liberation time had been confirmed many of our loft visitors began to arrive, but due to clashing with the NFC Tarbes quite a few were unable to come.

Very early Saturday, saw the arrival of Frans Rigoli and his son in law from Koolscamp in Belgium. As many fanciers know, Frans is one of the partners in the famous 'Dream Breed' stud that houses many top International champions. As usual Frans came prepared with his special crate of Belgian Beer, and by 6am had ensured everyone was enjoying an early morning 'livation'.

Saturday morning had dawned with favourable blue skies, but within the hour the entire area was engulfed in heavy cloud, thick fog and drizzle that extended across the entire region. This sudden change in the weather certainly dampened our spirits and we could barely see the lofts, some 60 metres away, but as the Bricon system was also connected to a house monitor (Sophie-Lou`s baby monitor!!!)Nothing could have entered the lofts without us knowing. John had also entered 26 yearlings in the Souston International race, and they had been liberated at 2pm on the Friday, for the 490 miles fly back to Hernicourt. So with two Internationals being flown hopes were high for a few early pigeons, but the dense fog was not what we wanted that morning. Conditions improved a little after 9am and  eventually three very tired yearlings were clocked, but nothing from Barcelona, and with Frans telephoning many of  his contacts it soon became clear that the race was going to be a difficult one. Clearly the heat and weather conditions had taken their toll on day one, so only the best and fittest pigeons would come through. Then at 11-55 am (GMT) a dark chequer hen entered by Crammond and Langstaff dropped onto the Barcelona loft and quickly entered the loft to be recorded on the Bricon clock at11-55-14. (GMT) Although she had lost a bit of body weight she was in good condition and was bred out of stock pigeons purchased from Herman van Helmand whose family of birds excel in long distance events. Ian and Nigel were absolutely delighted when told of their winning lst open Barcelona Challenge, plus £1000 prize money. The hen is bred from a Wim Muller cock containing thelines of Madonna, Mona Lisa and the Golden Breeder. The dam of the winner is also bred from two direct Wim Muller pigeons and is absolutely steeped in the finest distance bloodlines from the best of the Jan Aarden lines and many top Barcelona positions showing in the winning hen’s parents and grandparents. On telephone verification this hen is likely to feature in the top 400 from the 27,627 International entry, so quite a feat for a two year old on its first attempt at Barcelona.

A second pigeon bred by John McGee and entered by Kevin Rennison, was clocked at 14-48-01 hours (GMT) and this bird wins the £750 2nd prize. Sire to this pigeon was bred by Crammond & Langstaff and is a Demeyer down through “Tampico” and “Pedro” Dam also bred by Crammond & Langstaff her Sire is Emiel Denys son of the “Toreador” 1st Gold Wing 1999 Barcelona 100% Van Bruane her Dam is Carlo Gyselbrecht daughter of “ Schift 088”.

2nd Barcelona Challenge bird bred by John McGee bought by Kevin Rennison

 
At 15-22-55 hours (GMT) a third pigeon bred by Ray  McIlroy of Southampton arrived. This hen wins £500 for Ray and should also pick up International pools as Ray decided to have a 'flutter’ on his two entries.

3rd back to the lofts Ray McIlroy

A further hour passed and at 16-21-33 hours, a blue hen owned by Brian Holland was clocked to be fourth home. This pigeon had been well pooled by Brian so hopefully he should pick up some money. Brian said: “Hi John & Lou Can I start by saying well done to you both for all the hard work in getting my birds ready and in top class condition to fly the Barcelona International. My pigeon that was fourth GB07T45759 is a mixture of the best Dutch and old English Distance bloodlines. The sire was gifted to me by my friend Dirk Brugmans of Belgium and is basically a Domenico Barberio pigeon which contains the Barcelona blood of Van de Wegan & P Shellekens. The dam I purchased from Richard Boylin when he was moving to France and is a mix of Fear Brothers, Ken Hine & Jim Biss. Congratulations to all who got pigeons back from the race and roll on next year. Regards, Brian."

4th home bred by Brian Holland

Fifth pigeon home at 17-38-33 hours was another  Herman van Helmand hen entered by Crammond and  Langstaff of Fontwell and when I spoke with Ian they had also clocked 'JT's Meally' in the BBC Barcelona race to be l0th open, so were having a great day both in France and the UK. This 5th open hen again contains the best Wim Muller bloodlines from Herman's' 'Ace Pigeon' and Ax Barcelona a son of the 1st International Barcelona, and again 100% Jan Aarden. Herman van Helmand has won 7 Nationals and also Bordeaux International and also bred the 2001 Barcelona winner for Jan Dons. These lines are absolutely outstanding in long distance events.

5th home.

Our 6th pigeon was timed at 18-35-04, and was another Venturer pigeon bred by John McGee, and entered by J. Moore. SIRE to this pigeon was bred by Brian Sheppard Trueman Dickens and “Jingles” is in pedigree. The Dam of this pigeon is again through pigeons from Crammond & Langstaff Emiel Denys Sticklebaut the “TEE” lines and Carlo Gyselbrecht”Sampras” lines V D Wegen.

6th home

Two minutes later our 7th pigeon arrived and was timed at 18-57-37. This pigeon was entered by Terry Fuller and contains the lines of Sire Wim Muller inbred to “First lady”1st International Perpignan Dam to this pigeon was bred by Fred Hall again Wim Muller.

7th home

The last arrival of the day was a dark Cheq pied hen  entered by Callum Tyerman and bred by his granddad John Tyerman. The hen came in very high and 'boated' around before landing on the loft to be timed at 19-13-55 hours. After a feed and drink she went back onto her eggs and seemed none the worse for her long fly. She is a grand-daughter of John's 'Decimal Lady' who was 2nd open LSECC Bordeaux Classic and winner of many distance prizes. The sire' side is John Carmichael's Kirkpatrick based family that have been responsible for many good distance performances to John Tyerman`s UK loft.

8th home

With eight two year olds and around 11% of our entry home on the winning day it was felt that  this was a very acceptable performance by a team of relatively inexperienced pigeons in a very testing race at  625 miles. After the fog had cleared it was again very  hot and the birds did well to keep coming. That evening we had to 'control' all the clocks at close of race, and if this is not done correctly it can entail disqualification.  

Sunday dawned bright and sunny and at 6-27-53  a chequer cock bred by John Tyerman and entered by Owen and Wilson of Scotland was timed in. He had a chest injury and had done well to keep coming. He is bred from John's Carmichael/Kirkpatrick family and is closely related to the 'Barcelona cock' who won 5th, and 7th BICC Barcelona and 15th BICC Perpignan. A few minutes later a cock entered by the late Dale Newcombe of Macmerry, Scotland, was clocked at 6-33-29 to win 10th open. Again this cock contains the bloodlines of many generations of top Scottish  National pigeons.

Our 11th pigeon arrived at 8-18-21 a dark Cheq pied cock again bred by John Tyerman and entered by Richard Withall of Chichester. This cock is the nest mate to the 8th open hen, and both are grandchildren off John's good hen 'Decimal Lady' who won many prizes including 2nd open Bordeaux Classic and her nest sister 16th open Pau Classic. Again both the 8th and 11th open birds containing the lines of the old Carmichael/Kirkpatrick family responsible for many top distance prizes.

Twelfth open was clocked at08.50.02(GMT) ... and owned by Trussler Bros of Surrey from Mark Gilberts pigeons

Whilst penning this we have 32 out of our 70 birds home safe and sound and are very confident for more to return as we have had at least one a day since the race.

I’ll write soon once again thank you all for your continued support

Lou. www.thebarcelonachallenge.com Tel 0033 321049851

 

RETURNS FROM BARCELONA LIBERATED 3RD JULY 2009 09.45

LOFT RETURNS 4th July                                                   CLOCKED

1st GB07N87371 chq pied hen Crammond & Langstaff   12.55.14

2nd FR07392090 blue cock Kevin Rennison                     15.48.01

3rd GB07B91076 blue chq hen Ray McIlroy                      16.22.55

4th GB07T45759 blue hen Brian Holland                          17.21.33

5th GB07N87362 blue chq hen Crammond & Langstaff   18.38.33

6th FR07392078 dark chq cock Jordon Moore                  19.35.04

7th FR07392177 red cock Terry Fuller                              19.57.37

8th GB07N74925 chq pied hen Callum Tyerman              20.13.55

5th July

9th GB07N74965 blue chq cock Owen & Wilson              07.27.53

10th SU07P734 blue chq cock Dale Newcombe                 07.33.29

11th GB07N74924 chq pied cock Richard Withall             08.18.21

12th GB07N71800 red cock Trussler Bros                         09.50.02

13th GB07N87394 blue chq hen Crammond & Langstaff 09.50.02

14th FR07392097 chq pied cock J Moore                           10.39.45

15th FR07392088 blue hen R Yates                                    13.30.27

16th FR07392085 mealy cock Mathieu Buret                    13.43.17

17th FR07391675 dark chq hen R Yates                             16.30

6th July

18th FR07392075 blue chq hen Mathieu Buret                  08.30

19th FR07392076 dark chq cock McGee Barcelona           09.15

20th GB07T45764 dark chq hen Brian Holland                  09.44

21st IHU07111754 blue cock Liam `O Griobzin               12.45

7th July

22nd GB07J19462 chq pied hen Fred Hall                         15.30

23rd GB07N74917 blue pied hen Callum Tyerman           21.40

8th July

 24th FR07392065 blue chq cock Kevin Rennison             14.45

9th July

25th GB07J07266 grizzle cock Paul Rennison                    07.05

26th GB07N87399 blue chq cock Crammond & Langstaff 09.15

10th July

27th GB07C11852 Blue Cock Ray Bullen                           06.55

11th July

28th IHU07S111746 Blue chq cock Liam`O Griobzin         12.06

12th July

29th GB07H05589 Blue chq cock Ian Gill                             16.45

13th July

30TH GB07N74935 Blue hen John Tyerman                                07.15

31ST SU07P731 Dk pied hen Dale Newcombe                            19.00

32nd GB07N 87351 Blue chq pied hen Crammond & Langstaff   20.45