THE UK/IRELAND BARCELONA INTERNATIONAL EFFORT.
All Barcelonas into these areas are difficult due to the prevailing conditions of sea, radius, birdage, drag, weather and wind and the navigation needed for great distance by individual birds and fanciers. The provisional Uk winner is J .Chipperfield on 604.848 ypm on day 3. All the birds in the results of the BICC and BBC are good and worthy of breeding from. R. J. Goddard and Son are in line for my Mensa Trophy for the 2 bird mean average. 1st Western section in the BICC is R.Strawbridge and J .Williams day 3 on 471.830 ypm ,and so far is the furthest or longest flying pigeon in race time. It is on to win The Jim Emerton Trophy. The great Mark Gilbert and friends timed 9 birds ,duplicated between the 2 clubs. I am pleased to say that Barcelona Dream, at this moment holds the honour of the longest flying bird at BICC Barcelona in the 41 year history of the club-I verified 3 from 6 at 879 miles to Holtby, Yorks, England in 1995. There we have it my little piece on the greatest race on planet earth. There will be more birds to home in due course.
********************************************************
PUBLICITY.
For better or worse results hit the media. Now perceptions of the birds and fanciers begin in earnest. We are entitled to our individual opinion, yet rampant jealousy and resentment in print, shows the critics disposition and personality traits for all to see in reality. Most racing champions have earned their place in the sun due to applied knowledge and dedication with birds of good breeding. Believe me the rich man with many birds may play second fiddle to the little back -garden man! We must understand the psyche of all the top competitors-they are all bright, with narrow focus, will to succeed, patience and persistence. I like the man who starts at the bottom, and works his way up over say 25 years of dogged determination, with results at all distances-they do exist. I like to judge people on what they have put back into the sport?
Jim Emerton.
********************************************************
A COUPLE OF THOUGHTS FOR PARNASSUS FROM JIM EMERTON.
The Eccentric: Eccentrics form a unique identity and make unconventionality a convention of their own. The psyche may express novel imagery, perceptions or original thought processes, perceived often in the mad, the gifted and people of genius who may oscillate from one trait to the next or a fusion of all three personality characteristics. Some exemplars from popular culture are Picasso, Dali, Spike Milligan, Ken Dodd and many other people who have made a great impact and influenced mainstream consciousness. Many English people are fascinated by the quirky originality and whimsical charm of these unusual beings. I love them, as all my favourite people are odd, and I would dread to be regarded as anything but eccentric.
Spirit of Nature
The falcon that flies in the pale blue sky is a spirit on wings, Try and capture the note of the lark that sings, or the gentle touch of a butterflys wings. There is magic in the wind that springs from unknown lands, and whispers over desert sands. Each glistening raindrop that rolls down my face has come from a higher place, where angels dance in heavenly romance and spirits of the dead awake my trance. The spirit of nature is beautiful to see, it is my life my destiny.
Jim Emerton.