Countdown to Barcelona International

Around a month to go ,with the great race on the horizon we are in deep preparations.

The whole race team of 32 head has been entered for NFC Messac at 228 measured miles to Taunton. We need a nose ender to get 6hrs plus on the wing, into the west country location. The planned objective is all old birds to Barcelona and all yearlings to Saintes NFC.

All birds wiil be free to pair as they wish in the normal nesting cycle on open loft conditions. Race reality will dictate the final outcome and residue of numbers entered. We believe in this "shit or bust" philosophy and accept it as a norm. There are 2 aspirations which are our hen to fly it for the 4th time and to time one on the second day at 710 miles plus.

I hope Paddy Nolan does well and that others time over 800 miles-an endurance zone of great difficulty. It wiil be another peerless race that attracts global media attention. Most of the UK birds will filter in after the 2nd day of liberation,as usual. The climate, distance and geography dictate this and the migration limitations of the humble pigeon.

Jim Emerton.