peter pandy

10 days till the daddies meet the mummies and all appears well with a bit of roaring if they see each other accidentally through my negligence in not closing the dividing door completely. With the colony still putting in 2Hrs daily exercise I have no fat burds so don't have to curtail the rations as they are all in fine fettle and with the daylight extending daily by 10 minutes wont have to use the electric lights for any reason. There seems to be a silence from those on Basics who paired early regarding quality of youngsters and hope all has went well for them. 14 weeks and I am still waiting for an emergency operation !!!, and here was me thinking they were breaking the Law if not carried out within 12 weeks, effing joke..

Yes they repair them but just as cheap to buy a new one.

A cold Easterly wind has me giving the colony a little exercise break from freedom as it is my opinion that "its not good for man nor beast" a wee holiday and reduced rations will not go amiss on the lead up to pairing in 17 days time. Is their such a thing as street wise ?, when I let the colony out on a daily basis over the Winter and all to date have returned without mishap although I have seen the Bassas passing over on many occasions, I know I have experienced the Perri working and find it hard to believe they could/would catch a fit racer in flight without stooping down first and on occasions my birds go up to the same height and circle the Bassa till it moves off elsewhere.

With a month to go before pairing it was time to introduce a reminder to the inmates both sections of the loft, So when I let the Hens out for a couple of hours exercise I shift the Cocks through to the West End and bring the Hens into the East End as I have 12 nest boxes in each section, They find it quite strange and mayhem ensues for a wee while before settling down. It's a daily change round as they are out intermittently. My better half and I will shortly be heading over the park to cut reeds for nesting material as I found it excellent and more importantly free, The colony thought the same.

L.McKay, Carnoustie flying 527mls in 2001. Not sure if it was the Gold Cup though. But it was the only French race due to Foot & Mouth.

Hope they make it REIMS, that will give some folk nose bleeds LOL..

With nothing else to do I thought I would treat the colony to new feeders so off I trundled to B&Q as I had it in mind that plastic guttering would be easier cleaned than wood which does not react favourably with the gas burner, 6ft of 4ins wide and 2ins deep with flat base cut in two and four plastic seal ends only cost £10, in future wiping them down with disinfectant on a cloth weekly solves the problem of cleanliness, You could even have them as drinkers if you so wish with the flat base keeping them in position. Just a wee bit of thought to save pennies or £££ for us penshunners.

R.I.P. John, Condolences to the family.

With the weather taking a turn for the better this past week has seen the birds out and exercising well so the yearly chore of basket varnishing has been completed. I have noticed that some fanciers never seem to do so and a basket purchased a couple of months ago had obviously never been treated since leaving the wicker works 50/60 years ago now looks brand new [well almost], A recent visitor was asking how old my baskets were as he thought they had stopped making them and was really surprised when I informed him that 1 was 59 years old and the other 2 were 35 years old but when you look after your equipment they will last a lifetime. Before the catty remarks are printed regarding, ""what happened to you then"". I got married. :emoticon-0136-giggle:

All is well here at Merry Mac Loft and the Hens are putting in a good 2 Hrs every time they are out which is almost every day, Results returned from samples sent show they are free from any maladies so no treatment required. Problems are all associated with my inability to move my left arm and still waiting for an operation to relieve the problem which I hoped would have been completed by now, Unlike those who are mobile I find it impossible to catch the beggars and have to depend on others to help out. January / Feb is usually a quiet time for me and much time is spent reading a good book which keeps the old grey matter turning over. The last one read coincidentally was about my last employers ancestors back in the 1550s which answered many questions in history. Clarkston members and friends will no doubt be having a wee snigger regarding the photo of Crocodile Dundee in the BHW but remember "He who laughs last laughs longest".. :emoticon-0136-giggle:

February I will send Swab and Droppings for testing at Belgica and treat accordingly with their findings. The only blind treating I do are on Youngsters at weaning where they are given 100Mgs Metrodinazole and jagged for PMV.

Aye, That was Brian Lea 01608-650674, and Steven Holmes 01608-650615, Mob-07515625852..

Many happy returns mate.

Based in Colchester. Perhaps like many many people he commutes..

Dr Domien Van Acker, Based in Colchester. Why don't you phone them and ask the question rather than making pretentious unfounded remarks. You too George.

Merca Systems would just love to see Belgica out the game !!!!.

Conversed with Begica to-day and am satisfied with the explanation given that the admin problem has been concluded and will personally continue the long association I have had with them in the future regarding testing and products given, including free advice from qualified Vets.

Aye it was the same when I was there and enjoyed the shooting standing on top of the lofts when the birds were exercising !!. That kept the beggars down. LOL.

The closest club to you will be Carterton and the Secretary when I worked there was Ray Harris phone No 01993-704841. If he cannot be contacted the club house was at the Carterton Social Football Club, another number I have is Roy Ferriman 01993-842449, Mind you it was 15 years ago. I can possibly supply other numbers from back then..

Any fancier purchasing pigeons at the dispersal sale of the late C.J.Williams in 2007 would not have realised they were purchasing Alois Stichelbaut stock as C.Js very good friend Marcel Desmet was the main purchaser at the dispersal sale 24 birds in total of Alois in 1948 and supplied birds to him on a yearly basis until his untimely death in a car crash. The Stichelbaut strain were responsible for the following fanciers success, Vanbruaene, Vander Espt, Senator La Haye, Delbar, Goossens, Vanhee, Vereecke, Van Hasten, Bostyn, Buschaert, and De Weerdt of Kortemark. to name a few..

R.I.P. Condolences to the family at this sad time.

Will be phoning them first thing on Monday to ascertain what this is all about.

Hoping you get well soon Andy.

AYE :emoticon-0136-giggle: :emoticon-0136-giggle:

Well the job was completed with only one finger being pricked by accident, I suppose we cant all live in sunny climes like some down South who get nose bleeds and have no patience waiting for pigeons flying 500+ miles. One day you too may get old Steve..