Machiel became her loft manager and in this capacity advised, paired and selected racing and breeding
pigeons in order to
continue Marijn's work. His payment was not money, but pigeons from the best breeders and racers of the Van Geel loft. In February 1989 Martha van Geel decided to sell all her old pigeons. Machiel compiled the sale catalogue since there was no one more knowledgeable about the Van Geel family to prepare this catalogue. Machiel was also the auctioneer and the sale of 168 pigeons realised a world record result. The pigeons were sold for 770,000 Dutch Guilders in appreciation of the life's work .At that moment in time, there
The great 'Dolle' died in 1985 at the age of eighteen years. The number of proven ace pigeons with 'Dolle' blood in their veins is tremendous and at that time Machiel Buijk had 13 children of the 'Dolle' at his own loft, more than anyone had ever seen together. Also at his loft were14 children of the famous 'Vlekje', the car winner from Dax. 'Vlekje' was a grandson of 'Dolle'.Sadly in 1983 Marijn van Geel died and from all over the world came requests to buy Marijn's entire colony. However his wife Martha decidedto go on racing and breeding the birds on her own. During the following years Machiel became Martha's right-hand man since she knew that her husband had taught this young man well and she continually asked Machiel for his advice.