off to south shields

day out with family, hope the sun manages to show through the big cloud of pigeons that will be out exercising down there

hope you had a good day with the family colin and weather faired well ...

have a great time colin, shame you didnt arrange a loft visit with ray peel while you was there ....

yes maybe sort something if I was on my own David. Weather was really good :wall to wall sunshine and warm enough, and the sun didn't get blocked out by the black cloud of Ybirds

glad you enjoyed the trip colin, hows your birds doing ...?

all good David, just training according to the moult stage so @20 miles at the moment when head wind, they're only age range between 4 months and just under 6 month old so just taking my time, let them mature up. Plus I don't have the time to blast up and down the motorway nor the finances!

how many pair you got now david?

far too many pairs colin .......

ive around 20 pairs of caudwell van reets, and around 15 pairs of mixed, janssens, soontjens, jan arden etc.........im only planningon keeping mainly van reets, and a couple pairs janssens, oh and also the one loft birds i bought back.

i have a club member coming round to take whatever he wants maybe at the weekend, then i need to decide if im going to build a small loft on top of the garage to race ybs next year.......im not too enthusiastic to be honest, but the mrs is, and keeps telling me to make a start ......

Wife used to say' Do something or pack up'! Like 'Crap in the pot or get off' lol.
Took me 5-6 years to admit defeat in keeping them. Still would like them etc.

i still like to keep them daz, also like breeding them.........but racing has never appealed to me much

you ought to have a pop david just have a bit of fun with it ....i am cutting down to 9 pairs myself 6 pair of racers who have done well and 2 pair of stock and 1 old boy and his hen ...probably have a few old bird races next year and see how winter pans out regards ybs but will only have 1 round so wont be many ,you dont need loads there much better for more loft space

David wrote:

i still like to keep them daz, also like breeding them.........but racing has never appealed to me much

Get yer finger out david If I can give it a go anyone can, just see how you get on, needn't send every week, pick your races and get a few youngins tried out.
Give them Van Reets a fair crack of the whip pal.

You know, new comers, and not so good fancers, needing a lift and impulse, have never had a better time . Well bred birds going at knock down prices, or given.

As oft quote, I would ask for colours from a few different fanciers and have a stack of out crosses. Youngster a year doing nothing but laze around. Then raced as yearling. Stiff test and a aid from Mister Basket would leave a decent set up I'd be bound. J.M.O.

Agree entirely Daz.

There has never been a better opportunity for anyone interesed in our sport to set up in a manner at little cost or effort than ever before.

Thing is there are too many easier options needing less time when those invloved can take it or leave it at will,animals need constant attention..

99% of fanciers would help either young or old to become involved, the problem is reaching out to the few who may be interested.

Unles parents can keep an eye on their children there minds are filled with a load of ????? by the I pads etc; nothing banned by those inflicting harm on our young.

The best parents are not immune too many ways in which children can deceive.

Sadly the days of keeping many animals etc;from being very young has long gone, replaced with vertual reality and in many cases a lack of respect for anybody or anything.

Regards.

Yes anyone is welcome at our garden

Do we have to bring our own beer? Especially a good brand of Whisky!