Australia 2010

On the 2nd November 2010, Peggy & I flew to Australia for a 5 week holiday that took in 5 shows over the month. Flights from Manchester to Sydney via Dubai using Emirates were comfortable and we must say the new Airbus 380 is quite an experience and wonderful to fly in. The holiday started by staying North of Sydney with our friends the Carvers in Wilberforce the weather was great warm sun shine all the way, following local sight seeing I started my judging with the Dalmatian Club of NSW, this was on the Saturday the 6th.This was a good show the Dalmatians were of a great quality, I had some 54 to judge the Best in show black spot bitch was Grand Champion Hillosilver Paparazzi, a classic example as was the reserve best in show a liver spot dog, Kyrystaway Weekend Hustler, following the show there was a lovely BBQ and gifts to yours truly.



Then an early start next day the 7th back to the same venue for The Working Dog Club of NSW, this was the club that sponsored our visit they had an entry of 215 all breeds so all were very pleased. Peggy judged the Shetland sheepdogs, Rough and Smooth collies I judged all other breeds plus Best in Show and specials.



At the outset we must say that the quality on show was very very pleasing, and in a very warm temperature of 28 degrees lovely dogs and sporting exhibiters we had a great day.




For Best in Show I selected a young Old English Sheepdog bitch she was Dezignerz Miss Tique a lovely example full of style and soundness, for reserve Best in Show I selected an Australian Cattle Dog, I had some 40 to judge and as one would expect the standard was outstandingly good the winner was Champion Jayblue Country Hero I also had some 41 Pembroke corgi s, to judge this breed is very strong here in NSW,Peggy sent through a lovely tri colour Shetland sheepdog he was Grand Champion Shelmanna Zulu Prince. Then followed the required BBQ gifts and chats to very special friends and back to Wilberforce.



We then had many days for visiting and sight seeing the trips to both the Darling & Sydney Harbours, Manley, the beaches at Palm beech (we saw filming of home & away), the Blue Mountains great weather and food we were in Heaven.


On Sunday the 14th November I judged The Collie Club of NSW, for Rough & Smooth collies again at the same venue, by now we had a temperature of 32 degrees all coped well as did yours truly. My Best in Show was a sable and white bitch, Albermayne Shady Dame she was quite lovely, runner up male came from Queensland to the show a blue merle he was Champion Trenwyth Love in the Mist, for reserve best in show I selected the BOB Smooth collie, the bitch Champion Foxbell Fair Lady. The following day we said our goodbyes to NSW.



We then flew to Melbourne one of our favourite parts of Australia, we stayed in a lovely complex up in the National Park of the Dandeongs, South East of the City, again lovely weather we had 12 days here to relax and visit the wineries of the Yarra, the city and with a visit to the MCG cricket ground dining on the tram restaurant, lunch at Mornington, a great day on the Puffing Billy, feeding king parrots on our lawn all was quite lovely. We had to drag ourselves away for our last week in Perth Western Australia, so good bye Victoria and hello Western Australia.


We flew to Perth arriving on the 27th staying in a lovely hotel with a lovely pool by now the temperature was in the upper 30s the pool was required, it was wonderful. The next day Sunday the 28th we both judged for the Shetland sheepdog/Collie club of WA.Peggy judged the Shetland sheep dogs and I judged the other show. We were kept well apart in the complex, so we could not see each other. By now we had 41 degrees so the show had to be held under cover.


Peggy for her Best in Show was a tri colour male Sheltie, he was Champion Arajento Spellbinder, her reserve best in show was a sable and white bitch, Grand Champion Lurikeen Turn up the Heat.

I judged the show for the Collie club, I had classes of Border collies Bearded collies Rough & Smooth collies and Shetland sheepdogs all on show pleased me, for Best in show I selected the Border collie male, Champion Winpara Soul Dragon, my reserve was the quite wonderful Shetland sheep dog bitch, Grand Champion Lurikeen Turn up the Heat. Following the show we and all the exhibiters retired to the home of Galagold kennels for a great BBQ and chat.



Then followed six days of pure Heaven in Perth visits on the Swan valley wine cruise, to the Hillary's boat harbour and the beaches of Fremantle, an open top bus tour around the city great food and wine, a visit to the Waca, cricket ground.( It was great watching England on the local tele) then came the 4th December and time to return to the UK. We had the most wonderful time in one of our favourite parts of the world so thank you Australia and to all out many friends down under.