Belfast Championship show is popular with many Scottish exhibitors who make the long journey 'abroad' each year, most travelling across by ferry from Stranraer. I should think the majority of passengers are dog people, all travelling with high hopes, and it makes for a good atmosphere.
At a ridiculously early hour (2am!) on Sunday September 30th, whilst waiting to board the ferry, we were to be found wandering around a dark car park urging dogs to relieve themselves, these same dogs thought we'd lost the plot because they knew fine well that we should all be tucked up in bed at that hour. We really ought to know better.
Great expense, hours of driving, very little sleep, the risk of a choppy crossing and days needed to recover afterwards - all in the hope of winning a piece of card! As non-doggy people no doubt say - 'we must be mad'.
Perhaps the easiest way to travel is to go over the day before and stay overnight in a B&B or hotel......but that's for softies! We did it the fun way - three people plus eight dogs in a large, white van. There and back in 36 hours, allowing for a few stops on the way (Dundee Tesco at 3am was a strange experience) and a sleep in a lay-by. Most of the driving was done by Katrina and she did a great job, especially negotiating the extensive road works and lack of signs in Belfast.
There were only a few club members at the show (most had more sense) but they did well. Joan was there the day before us and got Best of Breed with Maddie, Katrina's Cosmo won his post grad class but Linda and Vic's Gino did the best by winning his minor puppy class and then taking best pup in breed. Unfortunately, we had to leave to catch the evening ferry home and so he couldn't compete for best pup in group; who knows what might have been?
I finally got home and into bed at 7am and slept like a log. It was a long, tiring trip and we all say 'never again' but no doubt we'll be doing it all over again next year.
Cosmo - 1st PGD
Gino - Best Pup in breed 
Banged up 
The van - our transport, sleeping arrangement & changing room.
Loaded up 
Handy place to change 
Some folk go by bus
The main hall 
Katrina handles Gino in the ring
Waiting for the ferry 
Homeward bound
Snatch some sleep when you can
Goodbye Belfast 
