Well at long last after a few busy weeks I have a spare moment to put pen to paper. It all started on the 6th of September when a group of family and fancier friends from the midlands gathered to celebrate my parents 40th wedding anniversary and despite social distancing rules a great time was had by all with a week of fun laughter and l we even managed to get The Dark Busschaert man out to West moors on a loft visit to Dorset’s Leading Lady Jenny Mills, he was so excited to find himself in the fresh Dorset air that he nearly went for a swim in Jenny’s fish pond, I wonder if he thought it was the tin bath funny ways these Black Country folk have, only joking Allen!
At our lofts, the birds are well into the moult and there are one or two that are starting to look the part but of course we won’t really know the answer until racing commences in 2021. Once the moult is complete there are one or two alterations that we need to make in the lofts, I am giving serious thought to racing a few pairs on the natural system for the longer races. I shall probably have about eight pairs as that will be better for me to manage with my limited mobility and Dad is going to ensure that the boxes are at the right hight and positioned in such a way that I will be able to move around easily with my wheelchair and be able to manage a few chores in the loft as I like to be among the pigeons as much as possible because I feel the more time I can be in the loft
The iconic Belgian fancier Jos Van Limpt “De Klak” was a real master at the “nest game” and raced successfully that way all his life. He began racing in his own name in 1945 and in 1948 became general champion for the first time and held that position for a staggering 25 years! This proves that regardless of what system one chooses to race his or her birds on it is imperative that they are of the highest quality and in the case of this great fancier the records show that his birds had quality in spades!
The legendry Natural Master Jos De Klak
Securing his place in pigeon racing history general champion 1948 for Jos Van Limpt
I love reading everything I can about pigeons and I have particularly enjoyed the writings of Shane Langton on social media, oh how I wish he would write in this journal because I feel that he could provide readers with a wealth of racing knowledge that would benefit the novice and veteran fancier alike, not only that but his tales capture the essence of true pigeon racing and this is something we all need to be reminded of, so come on Shane put pen to paper with your excellent pigeon tales!
Friendship is an integral part of pigeon racing and I am lucky enough to have some of the sport's finest fanciers as friends Mick Barlow is a gentleman a friend and true pigeon man and so, Dad and I were delighted when he visited our lofts for the second time a few weeks ago along with his lovely wife Jan.
Myself and Mick Barlow who took a shine to this late bred
Firm friends myself and Dad enjoying Micks company Jan Barlow enjoying our garden “next time you come Jan a glass of wine will be provided"
Well looking at the weather I don’t think I shall be doing much in the loft, so I shall go and have a cup of tea and then sit down and read Matt Rakes "The complete racing year”.
Until next time enjoy your pigeons!
Enjoying a meal with some of our visitors from Coventry and the Black Country “The window man” Jim bennet in his pin up pose