Long Time, No Post!

So, it's been 6 months since my last post of here- scandalous I know. Where does the time go to?

Anyway, yesterday was the first birthday of our Red Devils "Ooops" litter from Sparky and Cracker. It's hard to believe that those little kittens- all Red Tabby or Red Tabby and White are now a year old. I remember them being born so clearly.

One of them, Toksvig is on holiday with us along with her "brother" Mags, photo below.

I emailed all the litter to wish them a Happy Birthday and received this photo of Sol aka Pippin back. he's a lovely big lad and very well loved.

We sometimes see his sister Lola who also comes to stay with us and she's a darling- and very confident. I'm now hoping that we'll get some more photos of the litter so that we can see how they've grown and developed.

Yay, I've had these lovely photos from Seth and Solaris- they're looking great. now all we need is some from Custard.

 

Hullaballoo at Beaune, France: Day 2

So, my little lad Hullabaloo once again won his 6-10 month class which was judged very early on in the day, but  we thought that he'd sadly lost out on the BIV to the 3-6 month Kitten.

However, having gone out to the park with Steve and Gethin for half an hour, I was met my loads of missed calls on both my mobile (which I'd forgotten to take with me), and our landline. Phoned Gary back immediately and was told the good news that Hullabaloo had beaten the other NFO and a Sacred Birman to win the Nomination for Best in Show.

After many phone calls over the course of the day it transpired that Hullabaloo DID win the BIV as well as the Nom and when Gary went to collect his reports and certificates he was given several lovely rosettes.

I think Hullabaloo is a very special little cat to go overseas with Gary and behave like a star- he and Gary's White boy Peter Parker have got along famously even to the point of cuddling each other and washing each other- they haven't met before Thursday!

Hullabaloo's Adventures in France

Hullabaloo and I drove to meet his breeder and co-owner Gary on a very windy evening on Thursday prior to their long drive to Beaune in France for the FIFe show with a Norwegian Forest Cat Special   there this weekend.

He had his bags packed and passport in paw, and set off in the dark on another European adventure, this time without me with him as sadly I just couldn't afford it.

He's a kitten who loves to travel and he enjoyed the journey and the hotels en route apparently. Nothing much fazes Hullabaloo- he's very like his Great Uncle Blue Boo in that respect.

Anyway, I was very happy to recieve a phone call from Clara de Dios who is over there with them to let me know that he beat another Junior to Ex1 and then went on to win BIV- yay! Now, who says that the British cats can't compete with their Euopean counterparts? There were about 350 NFO's entered at the show I believe.

If we're lucky we may get photos sent to us.

Greebo's Photo Shoot

Yesterday, Greebo and I took a drive into Shoreditch where he was to be photographed for a Petplan Insurance advert.

He enjoys a good day out and settled down in the car for the short drive into Town. It was a bit of a walk from the car to the studio, and Greebo was VERY heavy- he's certainly become a lot more muscular since being neutered! It was also very busy for traffic which he wasn't keen on, but once we arrived he relaxed in his pen until he was called.

Everyone made a big fuss of Greebo and he made a lot of friends and admirers- he was making puddings all through the session and made himself very much at home and tried his best to be accomodating and do as he was asked.

Of course, he's not silly and he made the most of the bits of ham he was offered!

 

Please excuse the photos- I didn't want to use a flash and disturb His Highness in action.

Bourne- a good weekend!

So, it started off with a loooong drive to Lincolnshire on Friday evening. We arrived later than planned, helped set up the show hall then went for dinner with John and Caroline.

Saturday was ok- friends who have one of Anya's babies (Peppa) and one of Chilli's babies (The Hamster) came and they both did well with Peppa getting a "Virtual Nomination" from Stephe Bruin because she was the better girl but grumpy. The Hamster was actually Nominated but lost out sadly. Both cats looked great and it was lovely to see Mark and Rhonda.

My Lot did ok- Anya was beaten by her old nemesis Five, who then went Best in Show Neuter Female, but Brea became a Supreme Champion, Ari was in a foul mood and wouldn't behave for the BIV, but got her point, Chilli won her point and Hullabaloo was Ex 1.

Sunday arrived after a great evening out in the pub with much wine taken! To be honest I felt a little jaded on Sunday.... still onwards and upwards. Anya won her point and became International Premier. To my amazement she then went on to be Nominated and was Best in Show Neuter Female- at the ripe old age of 6!

 

Supreme Champion & International Premier Norskwood Anya BIS Neuter Female

Ari was in a MUCH better mood and won her point and the BIV too. She then went on to be Nominated and is now Grand International Champion. Our Bronwen (a Betty and Cracker baby just 11 months old) was BIV both days and Nominated along with Ari on Sunday- she's owned by Cecilia MacLeod. Chilli won her point, Brea won another CACS just in case, and Hullabaloo was Ex 1 again.

I then won 2nd prize in the Best Decorated Pen competition!

Belgium was a success!

The Felis Britannica Pens

So, we had a good time in Belgium (Zedelgem) and Felis Belgica made us feel very welcome.We always have a good time on a road trip though. I took my camera then couldn't be bothered to walk around with it so didn't take any photos! All photos on here are from my friends- thank you! I might have some on the mobile- will check and add them if I do.

Above is our row of pens- I think we made quite a splash. We also did quite well as The British Contingent aka Felis Britannica with several BIV's, (I think) 5 Nominations and in the end 3 Best in Show wins, which kind of goes to show that British cats can't be all that bad after all and are able to compete against their European counterparts.

Sookie and Hullabaloo's pen

 

Hullabaloo

 

From the Norskwood point of view Hullabaloo was Ex 1, and then Sookie won her class against another cat to become International Champion, so I was very happy. Sookie is in a growth spurt at the mo- she's big but her head has yet to catch up, so she can rest a while before continuing on her quest for show glory. I was amazed that she won her last certificate. One of Blue Boo's sons  Swayze was Nominated too, which was nice. In all, there were 4 of his offspring there.

Sookie- looking just like her Mum Anya in this photo

 

The hotel left a bit to be desired, with the chef throwing a dicky fit when we arrived for dinner on Saturday- despite us being booked in. We were only permitted to choose from 3 things on the menu!  It would have been better had we been able to choose which dish we wanted.

It's very easy to drive to Bruges- it took us only about 4 hours in total door to door. So, I might do more shows in the Low Countries cash permitting- that is always the problem isn't it?

Mr John Tipper showing our darling "Fatty", who in the end was Ex2

Road Trip to Belgium...

Well, tomorrow we're off on another road trip- this time to Belgium for a show in Bruges.

It's been 11 months since the last one to Poland (that was an epic one!), and this one is at least close to the UK and easy to get to via the tunnel.

I've Pet Passported Sookie and Hullabaloo, and although I'm not expecting them to do terribly well, it will at least be more experience at showing internationally and we'll get to meet old friends and hopfully make some new ones. It's always good to make contacts in other countries, and see what's happening.

Cecilia and I are travelling together along with 2 of her Blue Boo babies. I've made my famous sausage rolls (Gethin and I have taste tested them for quality control, and they're moreish!).

Steve had thought that I'd take Gethin with me, but I'm not sure it would be fair on Gethin- a long drive then being cooped up all day at a cat show and 2 nights in a hotel- when he's a little older I'll consider it, but not now.

Wish us luck with it all- there are quite a few of the Felis Britannica crowd coming along and we should have great fun and drink plenty of wine. We always have fun and enjoy ourselves and that is the main thing.