|
|
||
|
|
Dutch version | |
|
| |||||
|
|
Big, Bigger, Biggest!!!!! A travel report to the Crufts in Birmingham. (GB) While we were talking to other bouvier-lovers last year, the idea was born to make our dream come true. A Dream? Yes, a dream! For at least 20 years, I have been saying how much I would like to go to the Crufts! But every year we had many reasons NOT to go. Finally last year seemed to be different. There were more reasons to GO. So the idea was born. These days it’s pretty easy to make the arrangements for a short trip, so why would a trip to Birmingham Great Britain be different. Within half an hour the flight and the hotel were booked on the internet, and we could also book the entry tickets for the worlds largest dog show on the internet. It all seemed to be a piece of cake. All the arrangements were made……. And then what? It was only September 2006 and the Crufts was in March 2007. We only had a few things more to take care of, like getting new passports and make the arrangements in a good pension for our dogs, and then the only thing we could do was wait…. The thoughts about the Crufts disappeared to the background. February came and the show season in Holland started again……and by that time we started to get a little nervous. We would go to the Crufts! For years we had been sitting in front of our televisions, to look at the reviews of the Crufts, and now we would have the opportunity to go there and see it all for ourselves. Wednesday March 7th, was the day that we would have to bring our own dogs to the pension. We were very happy to be able to leave them behind in a wonderful pension, were they would get all the attention they need, and were the owner would go out twice a day for a long walk with our dogs. But it hurts to leave your loved ones behind. Thursday March 8th, the alarm clock woke us at 4 AM!!!!! Pffffff you don’t want to think about the time at that time of day! But we were going to the Crufts, so enthousiastically we jumped out of bed to grab the last items we needed and to get ready to go to Schiphol Airport. Fully packed, with our cameras, camcorders and the rest of our stuff we arrived at the airport after a drive of about one and a half hour. The tension was starting to build. What would it be, the Crufts? Something that we had been looking forward to for so long….. would it be a disappointment? Well first things first and the first thing was checking in, and making sure we were at the right gate. It all went smoothly. When we arrived at the gate, we got the feeling that we were only surrounded by people who were on their way to the dog show. Breeders, exhibitors, spectators, judges, owners, everyone was on their way to the Crufts. Knowing that we would be able to go directly from the airport to the Crufts, we thought it could never go fast enough. Fortunately everything went smoothly, and within an hour after leaving the Dutch grounds behind us, we were standing on English grounds with our suitcase in our hands. That is how fast it goes. We hurried to find ourselves a locker and then……. You follow the directions from the airport, and a shuttle-train brings you in a matter of minutes to the Crufts, and there you roll out of the train more or less between the dogs. Instantly you see how special this show is when you arrive at the NEC in Birmingham, the place where the show is held. The setup alone is so enormous, and everything is pointed out so clearly….. that is really special. This is not a little show, no here everything breathes SHOW. It’s really breathtaking. The whole show is so well organised and runs so smoothly, that alone is an amazing experience.
So many dogs are gathered, so many that you have never seen before. I have even seen breeds that I had never seen before in real life. It was really amazing. The number of dogs….. it is unimaginable. This year there were over 22.000 dogs entered on the show that was divided in 4 days. That is 5.500 dogs per day!!! We were so happy that we had our walking shoes on, because you really make miles there. Thursday was a day filled with impressions, from the time we arrived at the Crufts till the time we arrived in the hotel. When we arrived at the hotel in the evening, it turned out that even the hotel was fully packed with dogs and their owners. A television set was strategically placed in the dining room, so that everyone could see the Crufts. When the show on TV was over we went to bed early, tired but satisfied. The next morning we were out of bed by 5:30 AM. Breakfast at 6:30 AM and even before the clock turned 7 we were on our way to the NEC by cab.
Every spectator applauses for the winner of every class. The ringmaster kind of tells you who won. But still everything is just a little different as in Holland. At the end of the show we went on to see even more dogs. We were determined to see the show and judging of the Best in Group.
The next morning we had to get up very early again, because our plane would leave at 7 AM. It all went so fast, but then again it was a short journey. But a journey in which a dream came true! We really enjoyed this trip. We have met so many people in England with whom we could share the love for our breed.
In short this was an experience we will never forget. |
|
You can a e-mail with questions or observations concerning this Internet site send to: Webmaster Last updated: apr-01-2007 |
![[In aanbouw]](../../images/undercon.gif)
/_derived/First%20Aid.htm_cmp_kopie-van-kwadrant010_vbtn.gif){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)