Calling It A Day

[Roland]

Time to call it a day.

I will miss yet again this week’s race as I am doing a ‘Charity Gig’. No not even claiming expenses as I so wish. Plus next week’ races too, as I am will be at Swindon. This will leave a couple or so races left to partake in. A lot of time, effort and cost for that eh!

Now I am finding it impossible to get up-tempo, let alone all the much-needed zealousness.

I can no longer justify the costs, and the loss of Joyce’s losing out on her / our holidaying / Camping and trips out etc. which of course we aren’t doing. Which means money is going on the birds too etc.

That could be spent on Joyce and my quality time. Especially when one considers we aren’t getting any younger, so we should be doing these things whilst we are still able, and here to do it lol.

 

Last seasons’ end, and until the breeding season, I bought in well of good stock birds.

Plus I attended sales etc. and purchased 16 pairs for stock all in all. This also included two good auctioned birds for the Pigeon basic fund.

 

I will have to ask one fancier just where I can sell his birds too, as he doesn’t want them back in his Fed radius. Understandably so as he has flew brilliantly yet again this season, and his birds are well sought after. But of course I wouldn’t even dream of allowing them to go back to that area.

Most birds have pedigrees with them…. SA few haven’t, but, if and when I sell them I wouldn’t be bothered to seek them out, especially at the small cost I’d be asking for them.

All will be a small price, except two pairs, which I paid a lot of money for – to me any road – and will want a little more.

If I wanted to give these birds away, I know club members etc. who’d queue up for these birds. Indeed be more than willing to pay the price I’d be asking.

But as they know the circumstances over the past few years in regards the difficulty in getting to the clubs, to send to the races, and their lacking of help…! Help was only ever offered in words. Certainly not with any action, or going out of their way. Even if I’d I took the birds to them in afternoon, leaving them just to take in, and me to collect basket and clock in morning etc. So I’d be loathed to let any - outside of one perhaps – For many were the excuses while they had had to let me down. Yes some even after offering to help!

 

Of the 32 youngsters I train up, I have just over 20 left. First toss just over 20 miles -* lost me bottle lol. Then one at 30, one at 35mile because it was peeing down, - only time I beat them home- and two at Nottingham, about 45 miles.

I will have to ask permission to sale them on here I believe, which I will do as soon as I’ve accepted I’m am already hating to pack up. But it is more frustrating carrying on haphazard as I am than packing up altogether.

Would love the Tumblers / tipplers / rollers as Joyce suggests.... but would still the hassle of 'When away' eh!

[THE FIFER]

sorry to hear that m8,you will be a big loss throughout, would like to see you keep in the game,but if not in touch, whatever m8 i wish you all the best,

[just ask me]

all the best mate enjoy the holidays keep in touch

[Ian McKay]

Sad to see you go Roland but needs must, go and enjoy yourself it was nice knowing you

 

Ian

[OLDYELLOW]

sorry to hear that m8,you will be a big loss throughout, would like to see you keep in the game,but if not in touch, whatever m8 i wish you all the best,

my sentiments , we may not have always agreed on things but weve managed to keep things friendly and agreed to disagree , however what friends don't fall out from time to time i wish you all the best whatever you decide

[just ask me]

hope u still come on Roland and post your posts are thought provoking and Ive had a laugh or two from them as well

[geordie1234]

All the best mate in whatever you decide to do

[jakjak]

Sorry to hear you are packing it up

always read your posts with interest

[sapper756]

C,mon Rolland, give it another thought m8http://forum.pigeonbasics.org/public/style_emoticons/default/sad.gif here is hoping you have a change of heart and continue, in whatever way you can, with the doos. However, what ever you decide, I hope you continue to come on the site and have your say, even though you don,t have a clue about footballhttp://forum.pigeonbasics.org/public/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gifhttp://forum.pigeonbasics.org/public/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gifhttp://forum.pigeonbasics.org/public/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif

 

All the best m8

 

Brianhttp://forum.pigeonbasics.org/public/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif

[sammy]

sorry to hear yir calling it a day Roland hope yi dont pack the site in and yi still come on and share yir knowledge with us as i always eagerly read yir posts ,so take care Roland in whatever yi do

[JohnQuinn]

Very sorry your off Roland, maybe you can hang on to a dozen or so as pets, just to keep your quality time at home too. Hope you get back into racing in the future though

[fletch]

sorry to here mate

[Guest bigda]

wishing you well roland, in what ever you decide

doing things together yes is a very important part of life, and you only get one chance at it, holidays and sights to see are far more important than the doos

hoping i have time also to follow on your quest

[airdrie2]

sorry to here you are packing them in but getting rollers and tumblers is a good idear my father done that when he packed in the racers and enjoyes watching them all the best mate

[Guest IB]

Balance in life is hard to get, even harder to keep. I understand your feeling that you are doing too much of one thing and not enough of another, often more important thing, with most folks its work vs family life, but with some, like my dad it was pigeons vs family, and we came a poor second, and I never forgot that. So I believe you are on the right path and your heart's in the right place.

 

My fear is you might be going too far the other way tho. C'mon, 16 pair of stock birds? Are you starting a stud? Get down to a size that you can manage without taking up Quality time. As you say, none of us is getting any younger and I don't think working pigeons like it was a second occupation is much fun - for anyone. Time and money spent on them, keep it within reason.

 

I for one would miss you, (I think ) so have a good think about it and get down to a size that you can live with.

[gulkie]

good luck Rolland and hope everything goes well for you

and your wife ,sorry to see you go ,have a good life as

bigda says you only get one go at it m8

wullie g

[grizzal]

yes sorry to hear this Roland but what what

ever you decide stay tuned in to P/B .

all the best and enjoy a holiday

[Guest mick bowler]

Roland

 

A few years back when i was mad busy at work and my kids were small and demanding, i was in a similiar position to you. Lots of stock birds lots of young birds and lots of old racers. Something had to give, as we also enjoyed the camping, which happens to fall on a weekend when racing occurs!

 

I stream lined the whole lot one sunday morning, and was the best thing i ever did! My birds became part of the whole package, not just a side line. Where ever i went to work there was a basket, when ever we went camping there was a basket, sometimes 150 miles from home, i'd sit by the caravan with a beer singling them up! Old birds young birds they all went! Lost quite a few but didnt matter, i wanted workers as i had decided to make the channel races my priority, so that every other weekend we could go away. I would race the early inland races til the bank hols, then it would be camping one weekend, racing the next.

 

I would usually miss the early Yb races but they did nt really need the racing as they had the training. I found that it didnt matter if they were sat in loft for 4 or 5 days, i'd just come home let them out, maybe a short spin and away to the race that weekend! If they didnt like it then they were not part of the setup simple as. It toughens them up for sure, and when you send 12 to a channel race and get them all within an hour and yet there are only another 9 home in the club you know it works!!

 

Its is possible to combine everything, you will never be a serious flyer (nationals etc) but you can hold your own as i did in the races you set out to compete in. Of course makes a huge difference on costs too, less birds, less racing equals a lot less money!!

 

Too many sideline their lives for pigeons, when it should be the other way around!!

 

Best of luck in whatever you do!

[Roland]

Thanks for the kind comments, makes me miss the game already lol.

It isn't an easy decision by far let me assure you. Having the first birds 55 years ago.

Moreso as I feel these birds are the best by far I've have ever had.

But needs be overrides wantabe's I guess.

For the last seasons or so, for whatever reason, I've not done anyting, let alone give the birds, myself, or Joyce any creedance, let alone justice.

 

Indeed through one reason or another I have mostly let my birds down via lack of funds,- raising 8 kids etc. Moving home too often etc. etc.

So one will surely see the wrench in deciding now just when I feel I have the knowledge, the birds etc. and SHOULD have the time to fulfill thoses dreams. But I don't want yet another season where I've set my stall out, only not to be able to achieve what I am capable of. Yep I have had some great results / acheivemeants... But one swallow never make a summer I guess.

I will of course stay on site. I haven't fell out with the sport, etc. nor the birds just the frustration, and reliving yet again 'Next season'.... etc. etc.

[Wiley]

sorry to hear this roland

[Guest Davy Fleming]

I first had contact with Roland about a year ago and exchanged various PMs and telephone calls which will always remain private. And although over the years I have met and made friends with many fanciers this is one person that is an out and out GENTLEMAN. HE IS A CREDIT TO HIMSELF AND HIS FAMILY AND WILL BE MISSED VERY MUCH. Still really pleased he is staying on the site . Roland you are a special friend to me mate and THANKS FOR THINGS YOU HAVE DONE FOR ME. good luck

[geordie1234]

It is really a shame, the short time i have had pigeons so many fanciers have been calling it a day

[Roland]

I first had contact with Roland about a year ago and exchanged various PMs and telephone calls which will always remain private. And although over the years I have met and made friends with many fanciers this is one person that is an out and out GENTLEMAN. HE IS A CREDIT TO HIMSELF AND HIS FAMILY AND WILL BE MISSED VERY MUCH. Still really pleased he is staying on the site . Roland you are a special friend to me mate and THANKS FOR THINGS YOU HAVE DONE FOR ME. good luck

 

Thanks for those kind and moving words...

 

I let me ET go to be sold, pending payment last night....

Now family are rallying around to help me stay in this hobby if I so wish.... makes it all the harder to - won't say quit because that's a word I don't understand - so will say give up.

I am now guaranteed the birds will always be fed and watered when ever I'm away via nephews etc. - Who knows if they can learn to handle them .... I'll buy them a van lol....

But then would have to let some lovely stock birds going which would grieve me to say the least. But would take the advice and cut back to 8 pairs tops.

 

The deal with a couple that want to buy back their' birds still stands of course and will go through, today or next week. Which means one choice less there has to taken. Likewise if the ET goes... I have manual clocker which I will use till end of this season now whatever happens. May just send the birds Friday night as Trainers.

So thank you all for your gestures, advice and kind works.