The past weekend has been one to remember with a trip to Stockholm to visit the World Dog Show.  Bearded Collies were  judged on the Friday and there were spectators from all over the world at the ringside. Many of these spectators joined up with the exhibitors in the evening for an International Get-Together and BBQ.  How nice to be able to put faces to those names at last!

((For a whole load of photos of the weekend a visit to Gertie's website is recommended, see www.gertie.se and follow the links))

On Saturday we were ringside again, in glorious sunshine, for the World Championship Show 2008, hosted by the Bearded Collie Club of Sweden, at a fabulous lakeside venue in the Lida forest park, about an hour's drive outside Stockholm.  We saw some beautiful dogs and in the relaxed atmosphere enjoyed ourselves thoroughly.

            A ringside view of the bitch judging taking place

Linda Peirson (Kiltondale) handled "grandson" Tom  (Annette Zink's Pretty Bear Just A Wish) - a son of French Champion Talraz McLaren - and the pair were shortlisted in a strong junior class

Left to right the Best Bitch, Brenda White and Lesley Tomlinson who judged on the day, and the Best Dog and eventual Best In Show

Sunday was our day for sightseeing and exploring the beautiful city of Stockholm and we found plenty to see, enjoying using the ferries to reach different areas from the historical Old Town to the bustling and fashionable shopping streets via museums, stately buildings, statues, fountains, the tourist shops, coffee and cakes and the Tivoli funfair. So much to see and so little time but I think we will always remember Stockholm and the Swedish people who made us so welcome.   We refuse to let little things like delayed flights and lost luggage spoil our happy memories of a great weekend!

Above :  the historic Old Town and below:  A lakeside view of the city