When we started showing we purchased our very first caravan which was a late 70's style caravan with airconditioning!! - we purchased this van solely for the comfort of our collies at local shows, however comfy the old van was it was in no way suitable to make the long arduous journey from Townsville to Brisbane for the 8th Collie National so we purchased our new caravan which we knew would definitely make the distance.   After travelling from pot hole to pot hole, (otherwise known as the "Bruce Holeway".....oops, ...who said that!!!, I mean....... Highway with our new van in tow -  we were so happy to finally meet up with Karrin and Arthur for the very first time; after all they had sent us 2 of their lovely collies; and yes!, here we were now in our glory finally having the opportunity to drool over all of those lovely collies and Shelties!!!.

 

We thoroughly enjoyed our short visit with Karrin and Arthur, helping out in the kennels and assisting in preparing the collies and shelties for the upcoming shows to be held at Durack; and picking up a few showgrooming and handling hints from Karrin.   Arthur and Karrin were the perfect host and hostess providing us with a much-appreciated home-cooked meal, and may I add a 'still' shower on the very first night we arrived!!!.  In the coming days we all enjoyed  pub cooked meals and several fun nights' out at the local establishments!!. Not wishing to impose on Karrin and Arthur's kind hospitality any further we returned to our pre-booked caravan site at the Brisbane Holiday Village.  

 

We arrived at Karrin & Arthur's with 2 collies and left after the National with 3!! the third collie of course was Blazey-girl.

 

On our arrival back in Townsville after the long trip back from the Collie National, Tom and myself did not have time to draw breath or to gain our 'land-legs', as we were back on the road again in haste to acquire the final 21 points that Blaze required to accomplish her Championship title.  In fact Blaze won BEST OF BREED at the Tully and District Kennel Club Show, and during this tour to northern shows  gained 37 points in total to her credit.

 

Blaze was a very good mum!!.

 

 

 

Email: Cheryl Murkin THURINGOWA   QUEENSLAND  4815 Australia