Congratulations to Eskwinds Dire Straits

Leeds show on Friday did the Rainesgift breeding well with many of the class winners being by or out of the Rainesgifts but a Special congratulations must go to Catherine and Alisdair Ramsay and their Eskwinds Dire Straits, better known as Gaia. Gaia won a second in her class qualifying her for Crufts ... this is Catherines first Show dog so this a tremendous achievement for them . Congratulations to you all ... especially knowing how long the trek from The Black Isle must have taken you. well done xxx

Follow this link to see the full results

 http://www.highampress.co.uk/leeds/retflat.asp?show=Leeds%202011&ttl=Leeds%202011%20-%20Retriever%20(Flat%20Coated)

Castlerock Northern Sky over Elmstock

Also at the Inter Area Working Test was the beautiful Bliss owned by Val and Den Orme , another Remus daughter finally beginning to mature !!

Congrats on the class win at Leeds xxx

A belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Happy Birthday for yesterday to the CH.Rainesgift Seymour ex Hempths Linnet for Rainesgift (IMP) litter.
Sooo Happy Birthday 5th to Clemence, Fleur, Myrtle, Finn, Darcy, Bree, Wilma, Pasha, Lupin and Hugo . A varied litter full of characters, if you have one of this litter ... you know it !!!!

World Dog Show, Paris etc

The weekend of the 6-9th July saw the English crossing the Border and heading to Paris . The Gemswin team consisting of Woody and Hugo and their English fan base Me, Little H, Mum Sue Knight Gemswin, Roz Bellamy and of course Gemma. The boys were boys were fantastic and took it all in their stride living it up in hotels eating out in fancy places

On the thursday Hugo gained a 2nd at the French Championship  and a 3rd at the World Show  and was awarded "excellent" in his junior class

Woody was shortlisted to the last 5 in open at the French Championship show and then gained an amazing 3rd at the World Show  in open and "excellent" grade

Also Swedish exile and now English boy Denver (Calzeat Causa Commotion for Flatcharm) gained a fourth  at the World Show  in open and "excellent" grade

Whilst honoury Flat Coat " Rogue" the German Wire Haired and owner Alex Webster gained a 2nd on the Sunday. Well done to all exhibits and their owners !!

The show itself was an experience and made us all realise how well run and well organised our English shows are. But more importantly HOW CLEAN are shows are !! I have never seen as muuch dog poo in my life !!!

Little H, Roz and I also managed to find the time to head into Paris  travelling on the Metro to visit the Eiffel Tower and the Arch de Triumph  before finally eating in the Latin Quarter. Huge thanks to Yvonne Jaussi, Michael Gruber ,Melanie Tukker, Yasmina Zuberbuhler from Switzerland  and Keli and David Martin from Florida for such a great and very funny evening!!!

It was great to meet up with old friends Barbel Gammon and Bill from Germany and Albetza (Cheq) and to meet to Facebook friends and finally put faces to names !!

Eskwinds babies

As members of the NEFRA members Ken and Sandra Rees were at the Inter Area Working Tests helping out along with Bronte were 3 other members of the Remus/Ellie- Mae litter ... all helping out or running their other dogs

 Eskwinds Drunk On Moonshine  "Bronte"

 Eskwinds Driving Miss Daisy to Windyhollows

 Eskwinds Drake

Eskwinds Drunk On Moonshine "Bronte"

Eskwindwinds Dare to Dream "Eddie"

Inter Area Working Test

I had been invited to photograph the Inter Area Working Test hosted by NEFRA so off to Long Whatton I went and as per the weather forecast ... it lashed it down !! The dogs and handlers coped fantastic, not so for my camera and lens !! It was fantastic to see the dogs work and very intersting to listen to the judges giving them advice and encouragement. Thankyou so much to Caroline Hewison for the invite , I had a great day !!! Here are some more photos from the event   http://www.flickr.com/photos/22948823@N07/

Remus and Ch Flyways Farm Tears of Laughter JH WCDelilah

Remus's semen has just been used out in California for a much anticipated litter http://www.flywayfarm.com/remusxlilah.html follow Xan's blog for more details

Fine and Remus

  Remus has finally had his German lady visit 7 months after Ilona and Teresa visited us. Remus as usual took his no nonsense approach and fingers crossed all has gone well after two very good matings. Please follow Ilona and Teresa's blog to see of their escapades in England and hopefully how the pregnancy progresses  http:/flatnoseinthewind.de/blog/