We set off to go to Metz for the Championnat de France and the weather was dry for a change.
We got to Folkestone in time for our train and also some duty free shopping and a little time for Fleur & Hussy to have a walk before going across the water.
Our train was late leaving but we arrived in Calais and the sun was out and we were hoping no rain. Our sat nav said 4hrs to Metz so we estimated we would get there around 4ish and then we could chill for the evening and catch up with our good friends Avril and Stan.
As we were going along the motorway the weather was changing, it was getting colder and then all of a sudden the rain came and couldn't see in front. We took it easy and the weather passed and as we were getting closer to the border of Luxembourg and Germany the sun was shining and was getting very hot as well which was good as seen enough rain.
We finally found the hotel after the road we wanted was closed and only a small one but it was just for sleeping so no problems there.
Michaela went to book in and find the room and at this point there were some men chopping down a large tree that was giving shelter. Fleur was not impressed at all but there were a few dog people at the hotel so it was nice.
A little while later Avril and Stan arrived and they were on the floor below us so we arranged to meet on the grass where the cars were so we could have our dinner and catch up. We managed to finish dinner before the rain started.
On Friday morning it was very humid and hot, and we left the hotel just before 7am as dogs were allowed into the show at 7.30 and we knew being a uk dog takes a little longer then home dogs. We got to the show venue and it was a lovely place near a rugby ground with 3 halls. The line to get into the show was long and we were told that the vet was running late.
We eventually got through vet control and went to find our ring which was easy to find as it was near the main ring. We set up our cages for Fleur and was lovely seeing our good friends Michele and Emilie.
Judging was meant to start at 09.30 but this was running about 30mins late
We had groomed out Fleur and had a walk so she could get used to the area and some fresh air
We watched the dog judging and was pleased that our friend Emilie won Junior Dog and that Michaela won Open Dog, Cacib and Cacs which made her dog into a champion
Then it was Fleur's turn to be shown in open bitch. There were 3 champions in the class as well as a young bitch who beat Fleur last year in France and another bitch who we hadn't seen before. We also had Fleur's half sister Emotion who we love and admire so we knew it would be a hard class. All I was hoping was that Fleur enjoyed herself and showed as well as normal
We were last to be seen and I knew the judge liked movement. We were all asked to move round the ring twice and then individually it was up and down and round in a circle. Fleur showed her socks off even though a dog went for her just before her individual turn. After our turn we had to move round twice more before the judge selected 4 dogs to be placed
We then moved again and was looked at. The judge put 2 dogs behind us so knew we were in the placings
We were then put into 2nd place and was graded excellent in open - Fleur's first open class
We then had to challenge for RCACIB and RCACS. We knew we couldn't get the CACIB as we were only 2nd but we could push for the reserves
We were up against the winner of intermediate and 2nd intermediate. We were moved a lot more and Fleur moved beautifully as normal and couldn't ask anymore of her
The winner of open won the CACIB &CACS and then we were given the RCACIB & RCACS. We were over the moon with the win and certainly at such a special show as it was the same as our Crufts so was lovely
Our friends Avril and Stan both won BOBs with Leon and Storm so we watched them in the group in which Storm won and so they would have to come back Sunday for BIS
We arrived back at the hotel after 7 as we had to try and miss the bikes for tour de France that was going on and we were shattered and fell asleep
On Saturday it was Hussy's day. She was in junior so we were looking forward to seeing what the poms were like
Like the day before the vet was late but we knew roughly where our ring was so we set up and made sure that Hussy was all groomed and Fleur was settled before judging started
We watched the dog judging and it was an eye opener watching some of the dogs and their movements and also how they trim them
We agreed with the winning dog as he was beautiful and our type. We watched the bitch judging and some bitches were not quite what we expected but was nice to see the types. I got Hussy ready for Michaela so she didn't have to worry about getting nervous
Michaela and Hussy won junior bitch although, if anything, Hussy was a little out of coat but she coped well for her 2nd overseas show and was so proud of them both. Fleur was sitting at ringside cheering them on so she was pleased too
We then had a long wait for our train as it was not booked till early hours of Sunday but we went back to the hotel and sat with Avril and Stan till 5 when we made the slow ride back to Calais. This gave the dogs time to chill and Michaela time to rest before driving
We left just after 5 and got to Calais about 10pm after we had booked dogs into pets control. We went through to duty free where we got some more wine and something to eat and a rest before boarding the train
We arrived back at home at about 12.30 Sunday morning in the heavy rain but was nice being back home and the 2 girls were happy to be home and telling Meme all about their trip away
We are looking forward to our next trip back to France and seeing our good friends again
We got to Folkestone in time for our train and also some duty free shopping and a little time for Fleur & Hussy to have a walk before going across the water.
Our train was late leaving but we arrived in Calais and the sun was out and we were hoping no rain. Our sat nav said 4hrs to Metz so we estimated we would get there around 4ish and then we could chill for the evening and catch up with our good friends Avril and Stan.
As we were going along the motorway the weather was changing, it was getting colder and then all of a sudden the rain came and couldn't see in front. We took it easy and the weather passed and as we were getting closer to the border of Luxembourg and Germany the sun was shining and was getting very hot as well which was good as seen enough rain.
We finally found the hotel after the road we wanted was closed and only a small one but it was just for sleeping so no problems there.
Michaela went to book in and find the room and at this point there were some men chopping down a large tree that was giving shelter. Fleur was not impressed at all but there were a few dog people at the hotel so it was nice.
A little while later Avril and Stan arrived and they were on the floor below us so we arranged to meet on the grass where the cars were so we could have our dinner and catch up. We managed to finish dinner before the rain started.
On Friday morning it was very humid and hot, and we left the hotel just before 7am as dogs were allowed into the show at 7.30 and we knew being a uk dog takes a little longer then home dogs. We got to the show venue and it was a lovely place near a rugby ground with 3 halls. The line to get into the show was long and we were told that the vet was running late.
We eventually got through vet control and went to find our ring which was easy to find as it was near the main ring. We set up our cages for Fleur and was lovely seeing our good friends Michele and Emilie.
Judging was meant to start at 09.30 but this was running about 30mins late
We had groomed out Fleur and had a walk so she could get used to the area and some fresh air
We watched the dog judging and was pleased that our friend Emilie won Junior Dog and that Michaela won Open Dog, Cacib and Cacs which made her dog into a champion
Then it was Fleur's turn to be shown in open bitch. There were 3 champions in the class as well as a young bitch who beat Fleur last year in France and another bitch who we hadn't seen before. We also had Fleur's half sister Emotion who we love and admire so we knew it would be a hard class. All I was hoping was that Fleur enjoyed herself and showed as well as normal
We were last to be seen and I knew the judge liked movement. We were all asked to move round the ring twice and then individually it was up and down and round in a circle. Fleur showed her socks off even though a dog went for her just before her individual turn. After our turn we had to move round twice more before the judge selected 4 dogs to be placed
We then moved again and was looked at. The judge put 2 dogs behind us so knew we were in the placings
We were then put into 2nd place and was graded excellent in open - Fleur's first open class
We then had to challenge for RCACIB and RCACS. We knew we couldn't get the CACIB as we were only 2nd but we could push for the reserves
We were up against the winner of intermediate and 2nd intermediate. We were moved a lot more and Fleur moved beautifully as normal and couldn't ask anymore of her
The winner of open won the CACIB &CACS and then we were given the RCACIB & RCACS. We were over the moon with the win and certainly at such a special show as it was the same as our Crufts so was lovely
Our friends Avril and Stan both won BOBs with Leon and Storm so we watched them in the group in which Storm won and so they would have to come back Sunday for BIS
We arrived back at the hotel after 7 as we had to try and miss the bikes for tour de France that was going on and we were shattered and fell asleep
On Saturday it was Hussy's day. She was in junior so we were looking forward to seeing what the poms were like
Like the day before the vet was late but we knew roughly where our ring was so we set up and made sure that Hussy was all groomed and Fleur was settled before judging started
We watched the dog judging and it was an eye opener watching some of the dogs and their movements and also how they trim them
We agreed with the winning dog as he was beautiful and our type. We watched the bitch judging and some bitches were not quite what we expected but was nice to see the types. I got Hussy ready for Michaela so she didn't have to worry about getting nervous
Michaela and Hussy won junior bitch although, if anything, Hussy was a little out of coat but she coped well for her 2nd overseas show and was so proud of them both. Fleur was sitting at ringside cheering them on so she was pleased too
We then had a long wait for our train as it was not booked till early hours of Sunday but we went back to the hotel and sat with Avril and Stan till 5 when we made the slow ride back to Calais. This gave the dogs time to chill and Michaela time to rest before driving
We left just after 5 and got to Calais about 10pm after we had booked dogs into pets control. We went through to duty free where we got some more wine and something to eat and a rest before boarding the train
We arrived back at home at about 12.30 Sunday morning in the heavy rain but was nice being back home and the 2 girls were happy to be home and telling Meme all about their trip away
We are looking forward to our next trip back to France and seeing our good friends again
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