walterboswell59 Posted October 6, 2020 Report Share Posted October 6, 2020 im sure it was friday morning three days till the birds went to the gold cup i was on the computer and decided to check the forcast for france and Reims and it was showing an east wind forecast for the friday the day of the race a wee chance for a westsection pigeon to do something special i had given the birds the open bowl all week after there morning exercise they were all handling fantastic i would flag them one more time that night then open bowl till tuesday basketting i closed the loft up after i fed them at 7 oclock with the intention of flagging them from 9 till 10 one more time getting them used to landing in darkness just incase i got a late one then went into the house for a cup of tea and looked at the forecast again and it had changed this time showing southeast from Reims and across the channel and southeast from the coast right up the east of the country but was blowing southwest down the westside jesus i thought in theory the birds should come straight down the middle of the country the south section and the central belt has the advantage now they should come from the south right over crawford area if wind stays that way that is and my last five tosses had been from lauder in the east it was then i had a brain wave instead of flagging them tonight id take them to crawford i looked at the time it was 7 45 i ran out to the van and got my basket and took the 12 birds that i had left from the twenty two i started with to crawford letting them go at 8 45 no need to worry they will be no hawks about at this time i jumped in the van with the boot down to try and beat them when i got to the house my pal charlie muir was standing in the drive where you been training i said at this time said he i told him about my theory about the birds coming down the middle while we waited on the birds half past nine and nothing i was trying to stay calm but it was getting dark fast 9 40 two birds landed two cocks what have i done i thought they did not even need the toss it was only a wee head sharpener over 20 tosses and not lost a bird and i get hit at 8 45 at night i dont believe it 9 50 and its now dark bang a flutter of birds hit the loft two went in the section helen and marrion were from so at least they were home i had 8 home now with 4 missing well that did not go to plan charlie i said in fact that was f k g stupid but its done now if the rest are alive ill get them in the morning next morning crack of dawn 3 hit the loft with one missing a wee cheq pied hen a grandaughter of jenna bassa got one i thought the only pied among them i then sat and wrote out my pool sheets and bank check taking the few pounds off the wee pied and spreading it over some of the other less pooled birds i was lucky i had got off light that could easily been a disaster at one oclock that day the wee cheq pied hen turned up not a mark on her but it was to late to change the pool sheets again without making a mess of them so the wee pied stayed home and i sent 11 to the race on the tuesday i knew the birds were in good order and there were a few comments made from the handlers which is always nice but with a pigeon like helen in the basket i was feeling confident although i dont mind telling you when Dal tipped me as a favoriet on basics to win the national i felt a lot of pressure for the first time in my life and i did not like it one little bit but i was looking forward to having a good race friday came and the birds were up checked the wind again and it was still the same straight down the middle the winning birds should come if they dont get chased all over the country i thought it would be fast maybe to fast for helen she is a 13 to 15 hour bird and i was expecting them long before that when 3 oclock came round and no birds in the south i new there was a problem 4 then 5 and still no birds recorded these birds have not got across the channel i thought then what would turn out to be the winner in Edinburgh was timed after 5 still no birds in the south or west if this goes on much longer its playing into helens hands 6 oclock still no birds reported in the south or west 6 30 and my wife shouts out what about you dinner ill get it later when i get helen home between 7 and 8 is bang on her time i moved my chair to the bottom of the garden so i could look south just before 6 55 i saw a dot in the sky right out the south straight down the middle i knew it was her the way she was boxing wings shut tight dropping like a stone and hits the board pause to let me look at her and in i let out a shout of joy frightning the s t out my neighbour who was just about to take a mouthful of his coffee and spilled half down his shirt lol whats wrong walter i think ive just won 1500 quid eddie ok ill let ye off he said i was in heaven what a doo i said to myself what a doo i went in and took off her rubber she was Ets but better safe than sorry timed her into the stb clock went back into the loft and gave her some seed but she was looking for her peanuts so she got as many as she wanted i did not get anymore on the night and it looked like she was the only bird in the west a few of my pals from clarkston came over to congratulate me and some old friends phoned me also it looked like id won the westsection with the only bird on the day i checked the SNFC web site before i went to bed and still only helen timed on the day up at dawn looking for more birds but nothing this race was a stinker for some reason but i did not know why and was just glad to be in birds started to turn up just after 6 in the morning and were very scarce word started to get through that the national birds were libbed 15 mins after thousands of dutch birds but the dutch birds came back and dragged the national convoy away along the coast towards Holland this would make sense with the old heads turning back and crossing the channel in twos and threes instead of hundreds but that has not been confirmed so might not be true but something happened thats for sure i checked the SNFC web site again at 4 oclock and still only helen showing as only day bird in the west it was looking good as i headed to the clock station had i emulated my old pal John Feenie and won that massive cup alas it was not to be there was another day bird in the west beating me but you take it on the chin i was delighted with 2nd section 11th open and 1700 pounds this super wee hen has now been 2nd sect Reims 2nd sect roye 3rd sect liege 47 sect ypres 100 pounds pools in Burdine SNFC silver Award winner SNFC silver Award record holder SHU bird of the year and won over three thousand pounds in pool and prize money what can i be dissapointed about i also had 8 from my 11 by the third day so they will all be back next year including my wee lady Helen going for gold God willing hope you have enjoyed the read lads it was good to bring back the memoryps could someone from basics please put parts one two and three in the correct order thankyou Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billt Posted October 6, 2020 Report Share Posted October 6, 2020 Can feel the excitement here Walter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe tyre Posted October 6, 2020 Report Share Posted October 6, 2020 Brilliant reading wattie on a very special bird and dedicated pigeon man and wish you all the best in the coming years I'm sure you are the man to beat in the future nationals gold cup etc that there is no doubt yours in sport Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blood red Posted October 6, 2020 Report Share Posted October 6, 2020 Well done walt and lady helen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delboy Posted October 6, 2020 Report Share Posted October 6, 2020 As I said to you on the night of the Gold cup Wattie, this hen is definitely one of the best distance doos in Britain , outstanding m8 and I really felt the buzz for you that night. Dream stuff that every fancier wants, even the so called sprint boys. Well done again Wattie and Champion Lady Helen and fingers crossed for her Gold next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinefield Doo Man Posted October 6, 2020 Report Share Posted October 6, 2020 That was a great read 👠Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buff Posted October 7, 2020 Report Share Posted October 7, 2020 Outstanding Walter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyleakin Lofts Posted October 7, 2020 Report Share Posted October 7, 2020 Another great read Walter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE FIFER Posted October 7, 2020 Report Share Posted October 7, 2020 well done Walter good reading once more thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buster151 Posted October 7, 2020 Report Share Posted October 7, 2020 Well done Walter and Lady Helen, look forward to seeing the write up when she gets her well deserved gold :emoticon-0137-clapping: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eastcoaster Posted October 7, 2020 Report Share Posted October 7, 2020 Great read Walter and it's only a matter of time before you win section in gold cup it is the proudest achievement in pigeons for me .If you want a good cock for her when she retires my fellow is ready and waiting lol.Best of luck for next year . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paddymac Posted October 8, 2020 Report Share Posted October 8, 2020 Great read Walter, thankyou. Best of luck for next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex young Posted October 8, 2020 Report Share Posted October 8, 2020 Well done a great read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jast Posted October 8, 2020 Report Share Posted October 8, 2020 Great stuff Walter, a great read. Thanks for sharing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yeboah Posted October 8, 2020 Report Share Posted October 8, 2020 Congratulations Walter You got your reward for the hour's of dedication thoroughly deserved Perhaps if we had still been flying Rennes you would have had the gold cup in your possession Atb mick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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