Roland

I like to tyhink I'm a caring and thoughtful husband

There's no pleasing some folks. Or is there? I, often offered my good lady good and fine advice. Mind 'I had a job getting her to cut the lawn yesterday. What with her saying the scissors needed sharpening'. Well, this morning I gave her two quid and said 'There's a lull in the rain. It would be a good time to nip out now and buy them scissors'. Then with sound advice, I said 'Better take the umbrella too in case it rains again'. When she got back, I looked at the scissors. 'Couldn't believe it! You certainly know how to waste my money! Couldn't you have got a cheaper pair'! I stated. I had hardly any change. Anyway I prompted her to get out and start cutting the lawn as it looked like rain again. Only been out there for 5 minutes and she went on about it starting to rain again... As if it was my fault! So I gave her a small size umbrella. She asked 'What's that for'. I had to explain that if she held the umbrella up with her left hand, it wouldn't interfere with the scissors working in her right hand. Well after a while I went out to see how she was getting on. I said 'Have a little break gal... and make us a cuppa tea, I'm a bit thirsty like'. I could see her thinking... ' Should I finish cutting the lawn, or make a cuppa first'. Well, she came to the right decision, and we enjoyed a cuppa. I said 'Gal best not loiter as it's not raining much now, so let us press on'. I'm full of giving a helping thought and encouragement. She did an excellent job too. I went out and told her so. Then just as she was putting the scissors down, I had a brainstorm. 'Tell you what gal, while you are at it, and have time, why don't you cut back them there bushes'? We have a couple of Lauren Bushes and one called Chrisamma or such. 'Best do it now' I encouraged 'as them branches are getting thicker'. A thought seemed to puzzle her for she went quiet. Then implied the scissor wasn't sharp let alone strong enough to cut through them. That she would need a pair of shears! That was it! I explained in no uncertain matter that I wasn't made of money to be taken advantage off! So I coaxed her into breaking the thicker ones and then trimming around the breaks. To give credit where credit is due, she got well stuck in, grunting and groaning. I think she was also trying to sing a song or something under her breathe. So credit where credit is due, she did a very good job. Gosh, it did rain, I was glad I wasn't out there with her to be honest. Anyway, the job was done. Another thought crossed my mind. So I said that it was perhaps best to get the leaves and whatnot into the grey bin and take it around the front, as the dustbin men were coming in the morning. With a rake and bit of bending that didn't take her long to be honest! 'You know' I added, 'It might be a good idea to clear them gutters now while your at it, as its starting to rain again, and the rain would wash the small bits left down the drain'! Again she was a mite perplexed, for she said 'What! You mean around the housetops'! I smiled, actually, and put her right 'No, no Love! just the pigeon lofts' and the sheds'. I soothed. So she got the ladder out and started grunting and groaning again and what not under her breath. Singing (I think) started up again, so I knew she was happy. When finished, and tidy up, she put all the tools away. When asked she put the 'Round Up' where she wanted to sort it out. I guess that's why we get on so well really. The both of us are caring and working for each other. Again, once finished she came in and sat down. 'Love' I said before you get comfy why don't you make a sandwich for us and a nice cup of tea'! To be fair it was a good ham sandwich. The tea too was like I like it. Good and strong. Ah, she is at the moment so nice and quiet. Contently sighing, having inner thoughts. Oh, I know why! She is so pleased with herself and getting things done. Indeed she hasn't spoken a word to me this afternoon. I guess she may be a bit disappointed she can't find anything else to do before making my tea. Mind I told her, 'take it easy love... there will be plenty to do tomorrow'! For, as I've said to her 'I'm pleased with the work we've done today'!

Here's hoping for you. They will go around the rain if possible of course. Mind the rain makes it heavy and hard work, Soaked and cold they will go down to dry out. Those that have a love of home will come when they can … others...

Yep, sad to see another bite the dust. I and many others know how you feel. Here are me and many others, through one reason or another, sitting on side gutted and wishing we could still be competing in the sport. As I posted regards another fancier a couple of weeks back, any newbie and some of us who need, or needed to improve our stock have now golden opportunities to do so - at little costs. These to sales would be able to have unrelated pigeons breeding for starters with good blood / unhampered genes to produce birds of sound constitution and vigour. Yes of course new stock to carry on with that regime would be all important! Sadly, but to those benefits, the way it is going the chances are excellent indeed of adding as such! J.M.O

Oddie a real scruffy odd one that! Often say to the wife he looks Like a right *expletive removed* .... and even on tele you feel you could smell him! Ken Livingston 'Flying Rats' saying also that they clean 350 TONS off Nelsons column every year, Well any one with half a mind a mind could simple realise the hieght alone stacked up would be tremendous. More realistic for a passing thought That would mean a Ton a day dropping on Nelsons head, Yet twupplups and twerps believe it! Was nigh 150.000 fanciers in the 50's 60's. Unbelievablely the 23.000 fanciers send far more to the races than they did!

I was fortunate enough to have a open loft. No need to train etc.

Feel that a lot of that energy used flying out would be better spent in the loft and keeping for the next race.

Both

Again costs make a consideration as to what the owner, can and will do. I believe the R.P.R.A gives the owner 7 days to respond etc. However, as been plainly seen by all, no action will be taken against those that don't. Quite rightly so, Used to be the 'Lame Excuses'! Now, even that seems to be a burden. If- as years gone by, action was taken and members suspended etc. this so - call sport would be depleted substantially! Indeed to such an extent that the sport would flounder even more... a cost the sport can ill afford. Hence why no action will ever, or could be met. Mind I will - like most - get a bit peeved at some of the attitudes!

Doohead you are certainly living up to your name. As for P***, well you have some strange logic there … been around the pigeon perhaps too long. Simple facet and fact of realism is 'It happened, happens'! Besides any and every means of curtailing 'Cheating' should be looked at and considered. (preferably via a common sense committee! Obvious not via.... Who AM I!!!! A nobody with a voice of sensibility in the wilderness crying out to heard and considered. Mind Doohead, no doubt, if you found out your pigeons gave their' all to be beaten by cheats you would write up and say 'Congratulations to them for thinking up such a great idea and plan' Good luck to them! Eh! that's certainly the way forward! P.s. Fetch the bird, pay the price, or ask if any one can / could help, certainly nothing wrong with that! … but...

I / we stopped that stray lib a long time again. Race birds were being released as strays. Mind that convoyer has been suspended. Caught cheat last season. East Midlands Banned him.... but on a appeal other a sentence not read out … completely irrelevant one at that, hit was rescinded to a Suspension and appeal to be heard after this race season. Mind has moved up North … Ok he is still banned as such … but who's to kn ow?

And many more places. His sister flew a good bird too. Incidentally George holds and has held many records in Belgium. After devastating the Kent amal etc. and going back he still flew a brilliant bird. O.K. he wasn't well like for buying originally from Delbar. Hence never given the credit there he deserved by a long chalk... But a better stockman and racer would be very hard to find.

Indeed did they actually go?

Last night, around 5 O'clock we had a hail stone torm… again. Yes only lasted a few minutes. But I fer any pigeon racing would have had to land. No two ways about that. Today is flipping cold east in Wind. The dark clouds low, so some where, or in many 'Where's' there is going to be a lot of rain- hail stones cI fear. Hope, for any pigeon racing they will miss this. Remember too that pigeons will fly around rain etc. if possible ...

Can one believe these posts! Also of many reasons put forward up front in regards any eventual losses or bad training tosses! Clashes etc. All myth conveniently contrived at that I fear. Loses accur too many times from Training tosses and races wqithout tempting fatwe I feel!

Now strong East Now strong East North East winds. Dark clouds and rain, again, any time now,

I see some superb conditioned pigeons, though living wild, in fantastic condition. Simple fact is WE can't condition a pigeon like nature does. Often one say' Golly had a old friend I lost 6 months ago come home. Must have been in a loft, Fantastic condition. Psst if so, then it wasn't in any loft. Many a time a pigeon in yesteryear came back a week or so late and was sent to the next race …. AND won! Now nigh every week, indeed every month there are questions regarding certain substances and so-called improvers. Most many will swear by. Be good if any data or posts stating an improvement for using any, or anything. Known 'national' names are promoting stuff that they never use. - When on the ash cart we emptied a world Champion fisherman' dustbins. They were regularly full of things he supposedly used and swore by, All destroyed so no one could get a freebie. Likewise Robbie - his dad Gary was the very best flyer I've ever known or come across. Robbie has fished for England at every level from Schoolboy to Manhood and in all events. Fly, course and sea etc. Like his dad a real ole skinflint. Never pay a dollar, if a cent would do, that's for sure. Gary bought the cheapest feed. Birds had only two tosses as y/b's: a 20 miler and a 50 miler. Maybe one as old birds Swore by fresh water and clean food ONLY! Yes, like very many other successful fanciers that is, and was all ever had, with a transparent roof to see out. His pigeons would laze about day time. You had to step over them! Come Race day they would knock your head off if in the way trapping! Yes, so many -Me included lol - seldom if ever bought to improve a pigeon... Can't be done. Yes, the odd ailment ... However, Gary never helped the birds there either. Come to think of it he never needed too — likewise me. Barry Andrew his uncle also and the best hard day and distance flyer ever in our federation. Now Gary held the record for most consecutive Federation wins 6. Barry actually beat that by one later. The truthy is simple. Many follow blindly thinking that they can use Tablets, drink adders and other concoctions to win a race. Yet this is proven every week that that just isn't so! Yet still a tremendous money fortunes are wasted trying. One could look in my cabinet anytime! Only the law requires vaccinations and nothing else.

Started of with sun bright through patches of clouds here. Now mostly dark to black clouds driven by a brisk N.N.E to a North East!

Well a right day yesterday! Had hail stones that hurt. Had a 50 yard dash into a shop when caught in them. They were big and hurt. Later a lot of sleet. Been rough all over the night. everywhere wet this morning. Cold with a stiff breeze. Sky dark and mournful … Good luck. Look in the mirror before deciding what to send I fear.Hopefully no need to look in the mirror after the results eh!

Good luck. Think Monday would be more likely or so... But you know fanciers and their craze and being determine to let the birds up. Well had a right day here yesterday! Had hail stones that hurt. Had a 50 yard dash into a shop when caught in them. They were big and hurt. Later a lot of sleet. Been rough all over the night. everywhere wet this morning. Cold with a stiff breeze. Sky dark and mournful … No birds in the sky today. But here's fingers crossed.

Heavy and thundery showers are set to batter Britain - and there's a risk of snow - this week as temperatures begin to slide on the first day of May. After a few days of mild temperatures, the weather will be uncomfortable and miserable at times heading into the early May bank holiday weekend. Thunderstorms are expected to hit on Thursday with further spells of rain on Friday before it turns much colder at the start of the weekend, the Met Office said. Temperatures will fall by several degrees thanks to chilly Arctic air, bringing a chance of wintry showers or even snow over much higher ground in northern Scotland, a risk of hail and widespread frost on very cold nights.

Makes me wish I could start up again. Indeed have had, and seen some great and very generous offers over the past few month. Toyed with the idea of having as such and just breeding and donating the youngsters etc. Money raisers. But A. I certainly could manage even that. Secondarily I know I would hurt, and ache, to race some again. But that , sadly. will never be tha case. You know, also, the reality is a fact that many such birds grace very many lofts. No better bred, that's for sure. Plus at exorbinant prices to boot.

Believe that that is the right thing... maybe a few days even! Remember when the Great North Road - a truly great National club and going on - held way over a week from Distance races. Fancier will moan whatever happens this week -end. Held too long, needn't have held at all, Should have held another day, should have brought them back … or at least nearer home etc. etc. Now me, never ever thought regards 'AVERAGES'. wouldn't in later years have had any going this week any way. Years before - if one must - I's maybe send an old experience pair... If must! Now many will send some yaerlings and RISK ruining them for the rest of the season. J.M.O. Mind thaey won't be to blame! Otghers sent and yearling sd and got good returns banter eh!

Good to see that they have all been bought Eastcoast. If I'd had brought, personally, I feel that the first two seasons they would have been stock. Flying out stock granted. Yes of course raced as two year olds. Would have had some blood (Genes) in the loft and watched carefully as to what I would have mated to. Grand children are often throw backs to grand parents …. Good luck to all those who have bought.

Tell me please, someone, anyone! If a conveyor was at the liberation site and saw, per usual and often, and in very many sites decides to move to liberate 30 miles away, in an excellent car park - forget the legalities here … alternatively, a nice common waste ground, WHAT would the members of the clubs and fed members be? Alternatively, just flatly refused to liberate and bought the birds home. Just what would be the outcry? We see and read the conveyers reports in the mags how at certain point Percy sits patiently waiting for his families breakfast teaches the youngster to kill! Indeed our club once tried to get a couple of these liberations points changed! We were outvoted! Why?... First off to protect the advantage of their' location! then the ruse of saying 'They are everywhere so it would be such a waste of time'! We tried ... others didn't! Can one blame Percy who sits and chuckles? Of course not! There are 100'. If not 1000's of alternative sites away from the B.O.P. who KNOW where most weeks breakfast will be served there! By the way, I was the only member who refused to send to that site.