England
Steve and I flew into Paris a day early to help avoid the jet lag and get to view some of the beautiful country. We tried to find a hotel which was booked downtown Paris, but after a long time of not finding the location decided to drive up to the coast line. We ended up in Deauville. A beautiful harbor town know to be Riviera of the north. The next day we drove up the coastline towards Normandy Beach, this is a spectacular place that will take your breath away. We viewed the cemetery of American soldiers of WWII. After that we drove Sainte Mere Eglise, which is where the Americans parachuted in and they still have a stature of a American hanging on the church roof. A reminder of the Americans who freed them from German rule. We traveled to the very tip of the coast to view the light house that you see below. And is where we saw the beautiful horses by the sea. This was sunset on the English Channel a view that is most indescribable. But as you can see from the lighthouse picture it is absolutely gorgeous.
The next day we met up with American friends and revisited Normandy beach area. Friday we went to the Bell factory this is where they made the Liberty. Bell. We ended back at Tribehou for a spectacular feast of every imaginable seafood you could think of. This was a feast for a king..(or queen). This is where we met Jacques Daniel. Many classes of wine was shared with him. Also we met some wonderful German people. After that we went on a boat trip of the marshlands. This is where we saw different birds and duck hunting blinds. Then came the welcome dinner held at Tribehou.
Saturday started early with the TAN. We were welcomed by Christian Gunther, where he explained the run of each dog. We had the opportunity to meet Jean-Marc Binet a well know dog trial person. After the luncheon at Tribehou we continued to chat about the dogs. Then rested for the long Gala dinner. The Gala dinner started around 8:00 and lasted well past 1:00 am. With a 7 course meal with free flowing wine, and ending with the most desirable desert.
Sunday morning started the National Show, they closed the streets of Saint-Lo in the shadow of the old city. This show is the show of all shows in France the Westminister of our breed. There were more than 350 dogs to view. Steve and I both went separate ways to find a dog that we both liked and when we met up again ended up at the same dog. We fell in love with a beautiful Orange Raon Bitch owned by Claude Le meur. It was funny for us both to like the same dog out of 350 dogs there. We were invited by Jacques Daniel to eat dinner with them.
We started out to Callac to view many kennels, some of them were: Cornouaille, Elevage De Lisle, Keranlouan and Kervegant. From there we travel to meet Pierre Terran, saw his beautiful ducks and lovely EB's. He showed us his process for breeding ducks. An interesting incubation system that he designed. We spent the last night in Paris. And flew back the next day.
