Cruft 2014 – The biggest one Dog Show in the World – 06.03.2014

CRUFT 2014 – mastif
The Biggest-one Dog Show in the World

We have qualified for Crufts in Poznań in 2013. It was one of many nominations – qualifications that we, this time, took advantage of. The champions from the last year – Aron and Emily – were the only ones to represent our country in this unquestionable biggest and most renown dog exhibition in the world. Below, the photos from Poznań.

As they say, the wishes need to be realised sensibly and don’t bite off more than you can chew. Consistency, perseverance, commitment ? without doubt help to achieve new aims. Trip? Perhaps not a trip but an excursion since 3600 km way and going twice by ferry exhaust your body completely. Tiredness was mixed with adrenaline since we were looking forward to see England. The left-hand traffic is not an easy thing to face. The rest is a wonderful experience and a good amount of entertainment for those who enjoy having fun ? as they say ? he who is happy is not who he has a lot but the one who needs little. And the enjoyment could be taken from everything. Only, you need to be happy with what you have. We have left our little town of Reda. Our appointment with Radek and Agusia in Kołbaskowo for dinner was successful. Nobody had to wait too long for one another. The CB radio was our source of help and enjoyment. If anybody happened to hear us on channel 25, we apologise 🙂

The dogs in a superb condition. We stopped approximately every 300 km. Redbulls proved to be irreplaceable as well as their equivalents with double the amount of caffeine. When nourishing dogs on the way is concerned, you can forget that they will eat dry feed. Perhaps they expect to be given prizes, or something else? Meat cans 'disappear’ in any amount. Fast, easy and seemingly palatable. There are a few producers of really good quality meat cans on the market. This is not a base of Mastiffs’ diet but while travelling, it does the job.

It was a quick way through Germany. The roads – terrific. The navigation device only once misled us but it didn’t cause much trouble. Holland, Belgium, and finally France. The target was the ferry crossing in Dunkirk . Our friends discouraged us from Callais and the tunnel. Dunkirk seemed to be much faster when it comes to check-in. Reaching Dunkirk we had a few  service providers to choose from. We followed signs for cars. We have chosen DFD SEAWAYS as it is clearly seen.

First we enter a big parking space. At the parking facility we come out with 'papers’ and we head towards the cashiers to buy tickets. The cost for our Honda car with three people and a dog was 800 pln, with a flexi return ticket. A bit more expensive than in Croatia ? with the flexi ticket we saved 200 pln. Exactly Ł45. We benefited from the offer. Next stop is at the French border control; then we travel approx 100 metres and here’s the English control.  There were no problems with the dogs. Passports quickly checked. Vaccinations, etc. everything OK.

Above you can see the parking space in front of the ferry. 'Papers” matters took 15 minutes. We were the only ones to travel to the UK. We got at 4 a.m. to the waiting stand.

The ferry was due at 6 a.m. We fed and watered our beloved dogs. There was only a problem with a place to walk the dogs and the dogs’ toilet. This should be arranged before Dunkirk. It is impossible to do it at the very place and also while crossing during which the dogs must remain in the car.

Above, there is a photo from the waiting room. We had approximately 1 hour free, so we could climb up to the first floor and taste the coffee from the machine. The flavour is the same but for it cost Ł2.

There is a lot of space on the ferry and the standard is high. The crossing takes over 2 hours so there is some time for a coffee. The breakfast served in the ferry bar, although it lures with special offers, it doesn’t convince with the flavours and prices. For a one person breakfast we pay Ł8-9 so between 40-50 pln; and believe me ? you won’t be full up. We had to go for this small meal on a plastic plate as our rolls have finished.

The morning in the open sea is a breathtaking view and a feast for the eye. People go out, although it is windy and cold, to take some pictures.

The sunrise was terrific. The girls with Radek, who seemed to be still sleeping, watched the sunset through the window. Sławek jumped a few times and the rest shall remain a secret.

The sunset was 15-20 min and a few minutes later we saw the cliffs and Dover itself.

What a magnificent view. Dover is renown for these cliffs and it is hard not to agree with that. They look amazing. At the bottom of Dover there are docks and high up reigns the fortress.

Amazing view. A beautiful big castle. The premises are wired, well-maintained and there is lots to see. The way is very simple. Unfortunately, it wasn’t in our itinerary.

The last photo from the ferry. The exit is still on the right and a bit later the first English crossing, and the first shock.

Honestly, but for the navigation device, which like a faithful dog showed illogical and counter-intuitive but only right direction, a car crash would have been a matter of time. The Radek’s navigation did not include the UK map. Luckily, our navigation worked perfectly. Believe me or not, if it weren?t for the device, which showed us the entries, it would have been a big problem. It is hard to switch.

What about Dover? Just before disembarking the ferry Radek had to go through additional control; we passed without any problems. CB radio failed because of a big mountain. We were lucky. We went up, Radek with Agnieszka down. After few minutes the contact in our CB appeared as fast as we lost it and it turned out that we were passing Radek’s car parked at the left side. Ecology in the UK? The pictures below. We don?t have it as much.

The time was good. It was 8 a.m. The direction to Stonehenge. One of the seven world wonders. For some a pile of rocks and for some a dream of the childhood.

Stonehenge is situated approximately 300 km from Dover. We reached it at noon, without problem.

Beautiful vast parking space and big infrastructure. The entrance ticket Ł14 per person.

To reach the place we got on one of the wagons attached to an electric Landrover. Stonehenge is about 1.5 km far so it takes 5 min to get to the place.

The place is unique and one of the few. The monotony of the average day disappears here. Some are interested and some behave as if enchanted.

Stonehenge and the round trip took approximately 30 minutes. Unless somebody feels a need for a longer stay to satisfy the senses.

There is a lot of foreigners, lots of teenagers. The place seems to have been created and exposed for the eternity.

We decided to benefit, and equipped with 3 cameras, we performed our photo session; the result of which you are able to see now.

The time was quickly passing by. We started to feel hungry and it was high time to get some lunch.

At the site you can find something to eat but the food is not really sophisticated, and what’s more, it is very expensive.

We bought some souvenirs and around 3 p.m. we headed towards Birmingham.

We passed London from the left side. The way to Bristol. There was not either what or where to eat. The south of England is not abundant in local bars as it is in our country. In fact there is a small number of them. On the way to Alisbury-Salisbury where Stonehenge is located- in the direction of  Birmingham, we happened to see a forest right from a Harry Potter’s story. More pictures in the gallery.

We arrived in Birmingham very hungry. Our hotel with a charming name PRINCE hotel turned out to be a 2 floor villa. It was clean and offered luxuries such as a TV, hairdryer, etc. Hotels of this standard are not cheap in the UK. The prices oscillates between Ł35-70 per room with a bathroom. In Poland for 350 pln one can afford a SPA. With the dogs there were no problems at all. Extra fee Ł10.

And so what? After a long day we went out to eat something. It was an Argentinian-American bar. We didn’t find any local bars in the neighbourhood. Gorgeous tortillas, local beer and an extra serving. Quite tasty but these prices!

In England there is a time shift so we had one hour extra. The alarm clocks started to go off at 5 a.m., but actually it was 4 a.m. Thus, we had one hour more. We used it as we liked it and the best we could.

We reached the show facility at 8 a.m. Immense parking space ? really huge facility. We followed the 'crowds’ and we entered our hall without any obstacles.

We reached the place and with no problems we found the benches with our numbers.

Mastiffs were to enter at 10 a.m. so we had some time to wander around. There were approximately 60 mastiffs and probably we entered the hall as the last ones.

At the site we were very pleased to meet Monika K., the owner of a wonderful striped one from the teenagers’ class, and also Sylwia D., who came from Ireland, i.a. To see our dogs.

A bit of jokes/antics, the most important thing was that it was nice and joyful. Before I have even realised the dogs were on the ring. I was just in time.

In the Aron’s class there were 10 candidates. I looked around. What came across my mind, I’ll keep it as a secret. My mood improved a lot.

The judge, Mrs Annie Marie C., looked at each dog scrupulously. Aron presented himself excellent as it behooved to a champion and the Winner of Poland. He exhibited his features beautifully in the halt, and because of his 113 kg he performed a bit worse in movement but it was quite not good for his weight.

Well ? below and above there is a final time of comparing males in the open class. Everybody who has got eyes, have a look!

The final comparison and complete assessment looked as follows: the judge pointed with a method from the left five dogs. Only 5 dogs are to be chosen. For us, there was no place left. I’ll support the rule that I will not comment on the verdict.

For all next candidates who dare to raise the Cruft gauntlet and challenge to compete at the Cruft we have got one advice. You need to remember that Crufts is the biggest, most famous and most respected dog show in the world. As they say, if you are not at Crufts you don’t really exist. The expression adapted from FB but, here, it is also useful.
Please remember, dear All, that Crufts is just a show. A show and nothing is wrong with that. Here, the behaviour of the handler is as crucial as well as their garment with all the details as well as breeding quality of the presented dog. Some, unfavourable, claim that here the name wins, not the dog. And here, only people from the elite, with recognised surname participate in the ring. It is too early to question that and too early to agree with that. This is our first experience and we hope, not the last one. We are happy about Emily’s presentation. Agusia showed the small one in an excellent manner as a professional handler. Small Emi had a tough job. She was let in the open sea, as a 19 month old female, she was qualified to the open class, which is a level higher. It was not a full success but her result was very satisfactory. Emily got 5th placement and for this she deserved. The stake was 10 bitches.

Summing up, it must be said that we received our first priceless English lesson in French about Crufts and I will finish at this point 🙂 Below, there are links to the picture collection from the show and the trip. We are looking forward to your comments. Your emails are most welcomed. Today we cordially invite you to join our team of next year Crufts showman. To make this happen you should possess a title of the Inter-champion or have had a nomination. There are a few similar shows in Poland and abroad. We are planning to organise the next tour in 2015. We invite the owners of our champions and our puppies.

Above, from the left you can see Monika and Asia, from the right Aron’s presentation.

Objectively and subjectively, there are not as many dogs as Aron and Emily. We are very proud we could be there and compete. We have made a number of mastiff friends. The payoff of that will be this and next year’s exchange of our puppies, but for the time being, I say no more ? shh.

From the left: Monika with her Kinder, from the right Radek with Emily.

Above, our team. On the left, Agusia with Emily, Miłosz with the best male in the pedigree, Miłosz’s daughter, Radek, Monika with Kinder and, of course, Aron.

Other photos, theses are only next captures. Our  dogs are characteristic enough not to name them again.

There is no need to comment the pictures above. We were full of joy, we were very pleased with each other. We saw a lot and we got rid of our Polish mastiffs inferiority complex. Once again it was proved that the devil is not as black/terrible as he is painted”…

There is lots of work ahead of us. We realise the amount of work still to be done. Such magical places motivate us. Our breeding batteries first were discharged totally and then charged to maximum and we are most happy about this.

Above on the left, our travel photographer, Sławek. We are grateful for his excellent work that you are able to see. We appreciate him both as a professional photographer and as a good friend of us.

We finished our show at 4 p.m. We had a tight return plan.

4 hours have passed and at 11 p.m. we were again in Dover. Our cars had to pass through additional control. We reached the ferry at 11. 30 and left at midnight.

We had a little problem with the flexi ticket as the system rejected it. The frustrated worker decided that if we we paid extra Ł46 per each ticket it would be all right, as there was no possibility to tick the appropriate box.
Unfortunately, I lost my temper, I used simple language to state my opinion about that and it went somehow ? It was our first time in the UK and we have mixed feelings. Probably the expectations we had influenced the whole.
Magical England appears to be less magical than expected ? and this might be a moral for the end ? We would like to send our love, especially for those who reached to the end of this article. Below you will find two links to the photo gallery and a link to the video.
Many thanks and hugs to the woman in a gray tracksuit
for translation.