New Zealand
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A reflection on 2006
A reflection on 2006
On a personal front the year did not kick off to a very good start with Mike’s ill health and continued time in hospital. But things did improve and he went down to Christchurch at Easter and picked up his little girl Spirit.
After such a start to the year, Mike and I decided to live for the moment, so off we went to Europe, and of course Guisachan for The Gathering, and the GRC and SGRC shows. We twisted mum’s arm to come too, and to show us round her families origins on the Aran Islands off Galway Bay, Ireland. Mike and I travelled on and enjoyed Spain, France, Italy and HongKong. On our return we went straight into 10 weekends of shows, the first eight camping in the NZ winter (after Europe’s summer), but this was good fun. Plus: we made Ashby up to a Champion. Continuing with some show highlights - Abel took out the Speciality Best In Show at Southern Golden Retriever Show and Bronson went Res. BIS to him, Vesta went Best Bitch at both shows, Res. BIS to the Kerr’s Sean at the first show (Sean is Vino and Ricky’s dad), and Liza went Res. BB at the second show – we had a very good weekend :)
The following week was the Nationals, and unfortunately my Grandfather took ill and no sooner did Margaret drive up to Palmerston North, than she had to catch a flight back down. Mike and I carried on as best we could, we were pleased with our class wins and Mike was thrilled to be allowed to show more of the dogs (and he had his special Hong Kong "made to measure" suit to look the part ). It was wonderful to see Fleming’s Chip take out the BIS in the show ring at the Nationals and Colvin’s boy taking out Test C with a challenge in the Obedience – showing that goldens have both the brains and beauty!
After missing our normal catch-up time during the nationals, again Margaret’s arm was twisted, and Dad’s filled with good wine. I had a work conference in Sydney, very conveniently the week after the Golden Retriever National, held in Tassie in 06. So off we went, lots of sitting looking at dogs (and there were some lovely ones), studying the pedigrees (bit hard for me to take the laptop to the show, so the grey matter had to recall them instead) and then of course a couple of knees ups in the evenings! It was a great weekend, good to catch up with people again (many of which last saw me as a teenager – not an old married woman!) and of course to see some lovely dogs as well.
Since that last trip we haven’t been to the shows, instead we have been having puppies, the litters that were put off due to our travels earlier in the year. Although we did have a very exciting litter early in the year from frozen semen, always so neat to look at the puppies and be amazed at how long gone dad is. Also, on a breeding front, great news on hip scores with more 0:0 hips and with a little amazement on my part finding out that five of our stud dogs have now produced them. I am still adding the UK info to our website and of course continuing to fill in the rest of the info including a new area for speciality results, photos and critiques, all of this is of course as my time permits (might have to wait for the wet days now)
On other news, Dad is thoroughly enjoying his new job, back to his training and getting in some practice before Mike and I want him to draw up the plans for our house. Mum, I think is still hoping for summer to hurry up and come in Christchurch, 6 degree highs is NOT summer, and the rain is miserable for the puppies. Daniel and French fiancée Nat are doing well in France, nice to have seen them this year and Mike is a picture of health, well perhaps too much so after all the food we have been eating, and I am catching up on all the house renovations, with things starting to look good for selling in the next few weeks.
If you look at the Merry Christmas news item, you’ll see some pics from Christmas day.
Hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
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