FUTURE OF BARCELONA
In reality 2016/17 have been tough to the UK. It will put off some future participants, yet many continue to source Barcelona bloodlines. The difficulty is with racing them each year - the reality of conditioning and sending them. The diehards will continue to send each year as we do and breed from the birds that make it home. Velocities over the Channel will always be quite low and second day onwards. This year our hen flew it for the fifth time, now on eggs we may send her back in 2018 as pigeons are to race - very difficult out on a limb in the West Country. I would like to see Barcelona UK to be an open style race for BBC/NFC and other members in UK/Ireland. We may excite a few more members and I do like the idea of unity across political and geographical borders. This is a dreamy, ideal and sophisticated concept and I believe in it. In logical terms Barcelona is the race for Barcelona bred birds. More to the psyche than mere logical when people come into the equation me thinks.
Jim Emerton.
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AT HOME IN MY GARDEN
Jims Jungle is thriving with wild and cultivated flowers, buzzing with bees and humming with insects. All the opium poppies have been pollinated by Bombus species and the Buddleia davidii are nectar sources for moths and butterflies. In the secret front garden, my contemplation has been the genesis of 8 books for Amazon. My long life has been a dream broken and enhanced by excursions into the external world of many stimuli. Believe me hell and paradise are part of the human condition on earth and I have felt them to the core on my emotional and spiritual odyssey inspired by the beauty and wonder of the natural world. Given time I will eek out my life as a sage in harmony with nature, far from the teeming mass of humanity.
Jim Emerton alone.
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CRITICISMS OF THE DAY.
Some aspects of rampant commercialism-hype for money- and the negative aspects of resentment and jealousy, impact on the pure hobbyists and the traditions and ethics of long distance pigeon racing. I used to sell some birds from the cottage and exported to China and Malta and enjoyed meeting all the people and answering the phone, yet kept the prices low. I think from the basic principle that a small minority of racers bred from any origin will cut the mustard. Marathon/Distance races sort out the best and the champions which are uncommon within the fancy as a whole. Today the main drive and objective of the mainstream mind set is the pursuit of money. I have a naive and romantic notion that we should put sporting qualities at the head of our psychological agenda-my tone is a little moral and ideal, yet yields a sophisticated tone to the essence of the sport. The corollary is, that good birds are given, exchanged and the result of bartering by friends and gentlemen. The truth is that I have had some good and shrewd dealings with major studs for foundation birds and at reasonable prices. It is often a question of personality and how you approach commercial outfits. In reality Louella and House of Aarden treated me well with birds, it is up to the person to be sharp and wise.
Jim Emerton.
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THE MODERN MARATHON MEN.
Characters and oddballs all, this minority sub-group will make an impact on the racing scene in the future. The BICC concept is expanding northwards, where a few specialists will enter The Barcelona International over 800 miles. It is a great test of purist dedication and not for the popular mainstream of sprint to distance men. From time to time, the influence will radiate into the North East of England. The most consistent exponent of modern times is Trevor Robinson, with Jim Nicholson, Craig Wilkinson, Bob Mckie and other hardy souls as champions of the cause. My motto could be Longer/Harder/Better. The reality is that you realise the intrinsic quality, when you get one at this extreme edge of racing. It may take years of focus to realise your dream-mine never ends!
Jim Emerton
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