THE WEEKEND OF TRUTH
by Jim Emerton
Nic Harvey and I have emptied the loft, with all the 15 yearlings at Tarbes NFC, and the 6 old birds at Barcelona International. We fly into Taunton, where the birds often have greater than the measured distance to fly of 710 miles due to the prevailing south-west and west winds bringing the birds into England in central and eastern England perhaps - a tracking device may reveal the truth, which I would welcome.
My basic philosophy is to ignore theorising and speculation and await the arrival or non arrival of the birds to the loft. We send with confidence, belief and expectation born of experience and maturation. It is a practice that has reaped rich dividends, and is not the philosophy of chickens. We aim to prove our breeding and husbandry in the two blue riband races, where the race point and conditions are the final arbiter - the acid test of realism. Of course we fly our birds on the wings of ambition and propelled by dreams. We are both purist, romantic idealists in pursuit of another champion like MUSGROVE ADDICTION.
I hope my words inspire more dedicated souls to take a giant leap of faith into the unknown, to return full of satisfaction.
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Elimar - July 2014
