Apart from 3 of last weeks late comers I sent my team of 29 birds on the short trip to Bovingdon 60miles, as a club we had 8 members send 180 birds. The birds were liberated at 8.30 with no wind given so a steady race was predicted and the birds could potentially come in anywhere across the fed with no wind to contend with. There was a very light Easterly breeze in our garden but nothing of any real substance. I didn't think they would do much more than about 45 to 50mph but as usual was out there in plenty of time, at 9.35 I saw two birds coming in from the North but unfortunately they kept on going heading to the South West, shortly after that at 9.39 three more came off the downs heading South but they too kept on going
then at 9.40 out of nowhere it seemed but I think probably the South West two birds landed on the house roof, it could well have been two of the three that had just gone over but who knows. Now there is a little story as to why this week for the first time all season my first babies home chose to land on the house first. Up by the house we have a couple very large bamboo plants, now on Friday my lovely wife who has to frequently move everything around decided she wanted them moved down the garden. I did protest a little asking her if it couldn't wait until after the race but as I was already pushing my luck racing on our Wedding anniversary, having already raced on her birthday a few weeks ago 
I decided to just do as I'd been asked and moved them. Now with little bit of breeze we had the bamboo were gently moving too and fro so as you can imagine our temperamental friends on seeing this on their arrival home weren't too sure about landing 
Anyway they didn't lose too much time and were on the clock at 9.41 and 9.42, after that I had birds arriving in twos and threes from all directions (other than North) and within the hour had 24 home, the other 5 drifted in during the afternoon with the last one arriving at 16.15.Unfortunately they just weren't quite quick enough as the spoils went to the inform Alan Akemenkalns who actually would have taken the first 30 places in both club and as it turns out Federation, he was closely followed by young Danny Porter, then Dave Maxey followed by yours truly, early reports suggest that our club could take at least the first 11 places in the fed so a very big well done to all
I did win the pools, with my 8th pigeon
Alan might have had the first 30 places but his pool bird was his 62nd bird so thanks Alan It also turns out that as only two members have sent to every young bird race Myself and Secretary Malcolm Colliss that I have also won the young bird averages so in all a pretty successful end to the season 
Alan did buy a rather expensive last night round of drinks and we enjoyed a few drinks and laughs to end the 2023 season. Now the work begins as I need to go through my birds and somehow try to streamline team
All the best
