Snow threatened but didn't deter this band of intrepid explorers from the North.  Our two vans headed south in convoy loaded to the roof with various dogs and all the required paraphernalia required for a day out on the world famous green carpet plus myself, Angela, Andrew, 3 grandchildren and a few ESS and WSS

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Now it is all over it's time for reflection on the day .......
 

Elizabeth having a wonderful time between showing her ESS Elazlan Tribal Craft JW (Greyson) to win Junior Dog, piloting her mums Sh Ch Chanangel Sticky Wicket Sh CM JW. to win veteran dog from a well filled WSS class, a radio interview, a TV interview with Claire Balding, showing in her mums WSS Chanangel Breeders Team and getting short listed and handling her own ESS Sh Ch Elazlan Right of Reply (Margo)  to a lovely 2nd in Open Bitch which was another well filled class .

Myself with ESS Sh Ch Calvdale Scaramouche Jones JW (Jo) who is still a very young dog but stood second to the eventual CC winner. Sh Ch Calvdale Flutter (Bea) sister to Scaramouche (Jo) was third in Open bitch . A good day showing and thanks to our judge John Lillie (Freeway).

On the downside, our journey home was blighted with a vehicle malfunction and we ended up on the hard shoulder resulting in a nights stay in a lay-by waiting for RAC for a total of 12 hours !!!  in freezing temperatures... an experience I would not wish to repeat !

 

Crufts 23 will be remembered with mixed emotions....... the delight of our dogs all performing to their best with some lovely results, utter pride at seeing the daughter and grandchildren being so involved and overall being very successful in one form or another - together with meeting up with friends old and new..... oh and there was cake !

 

The vehicle breakdown was not a pleasant experience, but we're made of tough stuff up here and thankfully survived to tell the tale.  I am sure once the grandchildren had full bellies and warmed up they will regale their exploits to their school chums with delight over the coming days and weeks about their adventure