Day 7 in Oz
Finally taking a moment to catch everything up. Left Philly airport last Monday evening, with a quick stop in San Francisco, then on to Sydney, where I was set upon by drug-sniffing dogs. I guess there are times when having 20-plus cats waiting at home is NOT an advantage . . . after my adventures in customs, and rebooking my connecting flight to Brisbane, I finally made it to my final destination. I eventually located Les and Karen, who had been sent to the wrong terminal, and we headed to their home to unwind.
Note: arrival in Australia was on Wednesday-somewhere along the way I lost Tuesday! I’m told I’ll pick it back up on my way home.
Rested, relaxed and slept! until Friday morning when we packed up the caravan and headed into Coffs Harbour (New South Wales) for the first Cat Show I’m to judge. We did stop by the Big Prawn on the way for lunch. Lots of “Big” things here in Australia.
Cat Shows here are very different. For those who just don’t want to know, I’m putting the details behind a cut.
All of the cats are divided into 3 groups-the original longhairs (group 1), the original shorthairs (group 2) and everything else (group 3). They are benched by groups, too. Group 1 kittens in one ring, group 2 kittens in the next, etc. When you judge, you go to a ring and judge the entries present in that ring, then move to the next ring and judge the cats there. Each judge has a steward to bring the cat to and from the judging table-guest judges (like me) get two, one to handle the cats and one to do the paperwork. It’s terribly civilized. All in all a lovely experience.
Accumulated results from four judges determined the top ten cats and kittens, then another judge placed them in order by their choice. Every entry won not only rosettes but prizes as well-litter trays, toys, food, etc.
After the show it was back to the motel for drinks, then out to dinner, where I was introduced to the concept of “private clubs.” If you’re not a member, you need to show proof of address and sign in. I didn’t understand-until I realized that the “clubs” were casinos. Ahh. The slot machines caused the care about who was coming in and out. We had a large, loud dinner with both judges and exhibitors and I met far too many people, all of them very friendly.
Sunday we stayed in Coffs Harbour to tour around a bit. We drove up the mountain and walked around Bellingen, then drove down and around the other end of town to the Big Banana for lunch.
Dinner was at the “Ex-Service Club.” Monday we drove back to Queensland.
ps. I’ve finally found someone who brings more than me to cat shows-they do bring the kitchen sink-and the whole kitchen besides!
Back in Queensland, catching up on email and preparing for the upcoming educational evening when I’ll be giving two breed seminars to a group of judges and breeders.
Note: arrival in Australia was on Wednesday-somewhere along the way I lost Tuesday! I’m told I’ll pick it back up on my way home.
Rested, relaxed and slept! until Friday morning when we packed up the caravan and headed into Coffs Harbour (New South Wales) for the first Cat Show I’m to judge. We did stop by the Big Prawn on the way for lunch. Lots of “Big” things here in Australia.
Cat Shows here are very different. For those who just don’t want to know, I’m putting the details behind a cut.
All of the cats are divided into 3 groups-the original longhairs (group 1), the original shorthairs (group 2) and everything else (group 3). They are benched by groups, too. Group 1 kittens in one ring, group 2 kittens in the next, etc. When you judge, you go to a ring and judge the entries present in that ring, then move to the next ring and judge the cats there. Each judge has a steward to bring the cat to and from the judging table-guest judges (like me) get two, one to handle the cats and one to do the paperwork. It’s terribly civilized. All in all a lovely experience.
Accumulated results from four judges determined the top ten cats and kittens, then another judge placed them in order by their choice. Every entry won not only rosettes but prizes as well-litter trays, toys, food, etc.
After the show it was back to the motel for drinks, then out to dinner, where I was introduced to the concept of “private clubs.” If you’re not a member, you need to show proof of address and sign in. I didn’t understand-until I realized that the “clubs” were casinos. Ahh. The slot machines caused the care about who was coming in and out. We had a large, loud dinner with both judges and exhibitors and I met far too many people, all of them very friendly.
Sunday we stayed in Coffs Harbour to tour around a bit. We drove up the mountain and walked around Bellingen, then drove down and around the other end of town to the Big Banana for lunch.
Dinner was at the “Ex-Service Club.” Monday we drove back to Queensland.
ps. I’ve finally found someone who brings more than me to cat shows-they do bring the kitchen sink-and the whole kitchen besides!
Back in Queensland, catching up on email and preparing for the upcoming educational evening when I’ll be giving two breed seminars to a group of judges and breeders.