Lankeela / Jules

[thugulike]

Just got my stuff for Crufts. Woo hoo I'm excited. How long do you think I should allow from M6 to get in, parked and ready? We're on at 10am. Is there a car park which is more convenient, it's difficult to tell from the diagrams?

[lankeela]

Allow an hour from the M6, and aim to be in by 9 at the very latest, earlier if you can, to get George settled (and you!). The queues into the car carks can be horrendous.

Definitely use the West Car Park, its nearest by far to the buildings. Follow the signs off the motorway for Birmingham International Airport, and the British Rail signs (the two red and white 'arrows'). This will take you right to the roundabout where the station is, but instead of going into the station entrance follow the signs for the NEC West Car Park. When you have parked you only then have to walk across the car park (huge) and under an underpass below the railway line, across the perimeter road and you are at the buildings. If you have not got a car park pass you can get them from the booth either on the way in or out,
and if you have not got a separate pass for Mr Thug just follow someone in with several dogs and bags, and offer to carry a bag, as they will have a pass for each dog to save you paying.

You get your catalogue just inside the doors, and then have to find the hall/ring you are in where your benches will be. Don't forget to keep your removal pass handy for on the way out. There are several outside exercise areas that you can use during the day, if he doesn't like the inside sawdust ones. Don't forget you cannot leave until 4pm, but remember also there will be a mad rush to leave and after that the queues start to get out of the car parks! all in all a very stressful day but wouldn't miss it for the world. I will come and find you as we are in the next ring to you, Hall 4 ring 20, but we are the third breed in our ring.

Enjoy!

[thugulike]

You are an absolute treasure. Many thanks. I'll look forward to seeing you on the day. If I can I'll post a link to the local newspaper article which comes out on Saturday.

Man and dog came to the airport to pick me up yesterday. Of course dog spotted me first. What a welcome. Mr thug was pleased to see me too!

[lankeela]

No problems, I don't think people realise how big or how busy Crufts gets, once the public are allowed in it can take half an hour to get from one hall to another through the crush. Make sue you take plenty of food and drink, as its very expensive although we usually have a cooked breakfast there, they are not too bad.

The 'freeby' leaflets arrived today, well at least an envelope of junk mail did, there used to be lots of give aways but this year not even a frisbee!

[jules77]

Hiya thugs, only just spotted your post, but Lankeela has given you everything you need to know. Roughs start at 9am, so I plan to get on the car park for 8am, and as L says, West is definitely the easiest. I only live just over an hour away, and although I historically used the M6, find it easier from the M42, as this takes you straight to the West car park.

There are some protests on the Sunday starting at 10am apparently, ho hum, just hope these people dont frighten the dogs, but the KC and NEC are aware.

[oldmaggie]

Could I just wish you best of luck, I showed in breed at Crufts last year for the first time and thoroughly enjoyed it.

[carmalee]

be interested to know what breeds you are exhibiting.

[lankeela]

I have Lancashire Heelers, (hence Lankeela!) thug has a Mastiff and Jules has Rough Collies. What do you have oldmaggie?

[jules77]

For anyone interested, although Crufts wont be shown on BBC, they are filming and showing online from early morning throughout the day.

http://www.crufts.org.uk/news/crufts-2009-will -be-streamed-online

http://www.cruftslive.tv/

[jules77]

Sorry to hijack thread thugs, are you judging this weekend Lankeela, down south somewhere?

[seekeerz]

I'd like to wish all of you all the best for the Crufts weekend,
one of these days, I'd love to be able to attend - living in Oz presents a small problem, but I'm working on it.

[flogginmolly]

Hello Mum (in law - lol).. I told that son of yours to give me info. on when you would be showing George, because I wanted to watch it televised on BBC, but after reading the other threads I will have to catch it online I suppose.
Hope you enjoyed your time with C... wish I could have been there as well.
Please keep in touch..I don't have your email address any longer. BTW, I love this website! Many helpful responses to the question I posted last week.

[lankeela]

Judging at Folkestone (Maidstone actually) on Sunday, Roughs, Borders and then the Finnish Lapphund judge went sick, so doing them, then another judge went sick and am now doing Aussie Shepherds, Shelties and AV Pastoral plus some stakes.

Best news of the day though, my friend (who I work for) got a call this morning from Crufts - our judge (Ellis Hulme) is ill and they want her to judge. She was doing 2012, but has been brought forward. We were dancing round the market with our shirts over our heads like footballers who have just scored at Wembley. Big quandary now though - do I enter, I only have the two veterans and I trust her judging to place me honestly and as we have several good dogs in veteran I think I will take my chance. She has many friends in the breed (well till next week lol) so can't do us all favours! Lost my lift now though, as she has to be there Saturday night staying in the hotel and be there for the judges briefing.

[thugulike]

Gosh, what a lovely response from everyone. And even a message from my long lost daughter-in-law from Texas. Hi flogginmolly, how are you? Son is fine although his toilet looked like a pizza grenade had gone of in the pan. Brings a whole new meaning to deep pan!

Looking forward to the day (I think). Should I take a couple of chairs?

Jules, M42 sounds like a very good idea, thanks. See you there?

Oldmaggie and seekerz thanks for your good wishes. If I can get a link for the press article on Saturday I'll post it.

[jules77]

ooh yes, me taking chairs, and as my husband says everything but the kitchen sink which is all strapped to my trolley!!

My dogs dont 'do' benches, so we use them to put all our stuff on, and then spread ourselves around the aisles. Need to keep our beedy eyes on the dogs, as a bit worried about the protestors getting in, never know what they will get up to. A couple of years ago we had something strange appear in the dogs water bowl, so take care, and if you leave water down, give them fresh before allowing them to have a drink if you have taken your eyes off it.

Would love to meet up everyone?

[thugulike]

There's always something strange in a mastiff drinking bowl. I could sell it as wallpaper paste. Fresh water required after every slurp!

Think....I need to buy a couple of folding chairs.

Never benched the beautiful one before, I hope they're big enough. I'll take his bed too. Everything else is in the show rucksack. George goes wild with excitement when he sees the rucksack, he just loves the shows. Need a dry weekend to get into the garden and practice running on a lead. Likely to go tip over **** in the mud!

[jules77]

If you make your way to our benches, my friend is baking cakes to celebrate 'making up' our little girl, so if you feel a little pekish, you are more than welcome!

[thugulike]

Lovely, you must be very proud.

My lads are on the front page of the Cumberland & Westmorland Herald today. There's nothing on line yet but there may be later.