We visited the famous Tournier lofts in Lommel , North Limburg almost 30 years ago. Here is Edmund Tournier and myself (thinner and with dark hair!!)in the ‘look out’ up on the roof…

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I have written quite a lot about the ‘Rocket’ of Rinus Van Gastel recently. The origin of Mr.Van Gastels birds including the ‘Rocket’ bloodline originates from one of the all time legends of the pigeon sport Mr Jacques Tournier of Lommel.

The Tournier bloodline was and of course still is responsible for legions of winners in all competition and from all distances and in all weather conditions since 1914!!

Strain names meant very little to Mr Tournier and he had no interest in the latest names or fashions , he just needed good birds and went to great trouble and expense to get them.

Exceptional pigeons crossed with other excellent winning lines was his only philosophy and he created the prototype of the modern racing pigeon. That is probably the only way in the future.

We visited Jacques Tournier’s son Edmund  shortly after his father passed away and went through the old original lofts..that was almost 30 years ago but it is still very memorable today.

In front of the main racing lofts with Edmund Tournier and my travelling companion (and style guru) Albert Tarleton...

In front of the main racing lofts with Edmund Tournier and my travelling companion (and style guru) Albert Tarleton…

 

A view of the lofts from the street...

A view of the lofts from the street…

 

The roof top was filled with lots of little lofts and sections that housed teams for various race points...

The roof top was filled with lots of little lofts and sections that housed teams for various race points…

 

The breeding loft and aviaries down in the yard...

The breeding loft and aviaries down in the yard…