If you’re one of the loyal readers of my newsletter, you already knew: I sat this one out last week. No racing pigeons entered, no stress at the loft, no staring at the clock. Just... a break.

The reason? A little health scare. A minor TIA and some heart issues reminded me – quite abruptly – how fragile we humans really are.

Last Saturday was another glorious day for pigeon racing enthusiasts. The birds were released from Quievrain, covering a distance of 180 kilometers under ideal weather conditions: clear blue skies, a gentle southeast wind, and just a few friendly clouds scattered across the horizon.

It was one of those days that reminds us why we love this sport – fair, honest racing weather where only the best pigeons shine. And shine they did!

The first official race of the season. You can feel it building up for days in advance. That familiar mix of excitement, hope, and a hint of nerves. On Saturday, April 5th, it was finally time. Bierges was on the schedule – 139 kilometers to my lofts in Delft. Sounds short, but don’t be fooled. A strong, cold northeast wind was blowing – exactly the kind of weather where a pigeon has to work to prove its worth. Not for the faint of heart.

There are mornings in the loft that feel like any other. The rustling of wings, the quiet cooing, the light shifting through the air like a soft whisper. And then there are mornings that change everything.

This was one of those: I leaned over the nest bowl, just like I’ve done a thousand times before. But the moment I saw him — still warm from hatching, nestled against the straw like he already belonged to something bigger — I knew.

This one was different: I called him Astro. Ring number NL.24-8362458, if you’re keeping track. But to me, he became known by another name: the eighth brother. The eighth in a very deliberate line. One pair. One goal. One race: Barcelona.

Some mornings just feel different. You wake up knowing that something special is about to happen. Saturday, March 29 was one of those mornings. While most people were easing into their weekend with coffee and a croissant, I was already standing at the loft, heart pounding with anticipation.

When I first held NL.24-8362401 “Nova” in my hands, I felt a rush of excitement. He was the first pigeon born from my One Pair Barcelona Challence – a project filled with ambition, strategy, and hope. Bred from my remarkable pair Genesis x Vanguard, Nova represented potential and the promise of a bright future. His wings carried more than just feathers; they carried my dreams.

A Perfect Day for a Solid Training Session