NEWS FROM SCOTLAND
Reports by Joe Murphy
Last weekend was the Gold Cup race from Alencon and with a later liberation we did not expect pigeons to make it into Arbroath, a distance of 573 miles, on the day, but being as optimistic as pigeon men are Margaret and I made our way to Kevin’s for 21.30 hours. I had collected a stray pigeon for Glen Cameron (Charlie’s son) of Aberdeen at a non-fancier's and took this into Charlie’s prior to going to Kevin’s loft and he informed me that there were 2 pigeons on the national lib-line. This turned out to be the winner of the Gold Cup to Skachill & McCormack of Dumfries at 20-38 pm so congratulations to them. One other bird was reported on the lib by the end of the first day but in fact 4 pigeons made it home on the day, all to the south section. It looks as if these birds have come up the west side of the country via Wales, Lancashire and Cumbria before cutting into the Solway. The Midlands and east side of the country was shut out with heavy rain (I heard that the convoyer had reported he drove through 250 miles of rain in the UK on the way home), hence the reason so many pigeons have failed to return. On the Sunday morning we were out in the back garden for the start of the race, enthusiastic as ever that we might get a bird. I left Kevin to watch the loft as we headed home at lunchtime with very few pigeons timed in. Kevin phoned me to say that he had timed in at 15-50 and then an hour or so later he got another bird and his 3rd out of his 4 entries turned up the next morning. Listening to fanciers who took part Kevin has done quite well with returns as in some instances some clubs have not had a bird home. Kevin ended up being 1st & 2nd club 1st & 2nd federation 11th & 17th section C 86th & 115th open Alencon 573 miles. This is the third consecutive year he has topped the federation from the Gold Cup race which is no mean feat, believe me, so well done Kevin.
I was also pleased to receive an email from Jake Pearson of Inverkip in Ayrshire who wrote: ‘Hello Joe, before I start I have always felt I let you and your birds down and I can only say sorry to you. However I think you will be more than pleased with my news (I’m over the moon) that I was 1st section F 24th open Alencon SNFC (557 miles) and the Murphy blood is in the breeding of him. Derek McKinlay has all the details and will phone you with them. Thanking you for all your help wishing you all the best Jake’.
RPRA Yearling Race
The RPRA one loft final race was held on Sunday 28th June from Arbroath and as I was in the town at Kevin’s for the Gold Cup race I drove down to Victoria Park at 05-30am prior to the liberation of the race birds. It was a beautiful morning with the sun shining and I had a look at the pigeons in the small transporter. They were in areas of 5 birds per space and they had plenty of room. The convoyer Mike Panting showed me the watering system which was as follows (see photo). He fills up the top drinker which has holes in it and the water runs through and fills the drinker below where the pigeons get a drink. This was a good system and you can see the water coming out of these as Mike took out the plugs a few minutes before liberating the pigeons at 06-15am. After a few circles they headed inland along the coastline to get their line of flight. I told Mike that they would have a good race and I took some photographs to go with this article. I noticed that Mr & Mrs Mike Chadwick are the winners so congratulations to them, also well done to Jeremy and Mike Panting on all their hard work. Please see photographs taken at the liberation site.
Joe’s Joke
Subject: Pam Ayres on SatNavs
I have a little Satnav, It sits there in my car
A Satnav is a driver's friend, it tells you where you are.
I have a little Satnav, I've had it all my life
It's better than the normal ones, my Satnav is my wife.
It gives me full instructions, especially how to drive
"It's sixty miles an hour", it says, "You're doing sixty five".
It tells me when to stop and start, and when to use the brake
And tells me that it's never ever, safe to overtake.
It tells me when a light is red, and when it goes to green
It seems to know instinctively, just when to intervene.
It lists the vehicles just in front, and all those to the rear
And taking this into account, it specifies my gear.
I'm sure no other driver, has so helpful a device
For when we leave and lock the car, it still gives its advice.
It fills me up with counselling, each journey's pretty fraught
So why don't I exchange it, and get a quieter sort?
Ah well, you see, it cleans the house, makes sure I'm properly fed
It washes all my shirts and things, and keeps me warm in bed!
Despite all these advantages, and my tendency to scoff,
I only wish that now and then, I could turn the bugger off.
Please continue to keep the news flowing; to Joe Murphy Mystical Rose Cottage 2 Flutorum Avenue Thornton by Kirkcaldy KY1 4BD or phone 01592 770331 or to my NEW EMAIL ADDRESS at;
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