Finally I have time again to report some about the O'Cockaigne hounds. Almost the whole month we have been on the road with hounds and caravan. But I start with April 20. On this day was the show in Goes. For this I had Brandir enrolled in the Youth class. Only three Deerhounds were reported; Prince of Jasper and Ineke, Bibelot of Marijn and Brandir. Prince became BOB and Brandir got the reserve CAC. He now has one point for his Dutch youth Championship and as the CAC moves on, also a tip for the "adult" championship.

On Tuesday, April 23, Calhoun received his 6th chemo cure. In the meantime he loses a lot of hair but where it was practically bald, it starts to grow again. He didn't respond so well to this "last" cure. He has not eaten for a long time and has therefore fallen pretty well. He was also very quickly tired and did not make much sense in walking. Since Johan de Vos wants to deal with him again, we had an appointment before 10 May. First blood pricking and checking and then we would take long pictures. The blood results were not so smash hit, some values were too high and it was decided that no chemo would be given. The long pictures looked "beautiful". HIEP!!!! That was at least something! In the meantime Calhoun is again completely the old and Tuesday 4 June we go again to Terneuzen for possibly its next chemo cure. On Thursday the 2nd of May we headed for Berlin. The night was halfway by Sonja, Brandir did not know what he saw when his sister came to greet him! The next morning we drove all the way to Göhlsdorf, Simon was invited to join the international coursing judging and I was asked to approve during their CAC show. The coursing would take place on a large fenced lawn and fortunately the hounds could stretch the legs here on Friday afternoon. But of course there also had to be walked. Saturday morning, Simon, Angelika and Sonja went on the road and soon left the majority of the 9 hounds. It was immediately hit, several hares had to choose the Hazenpad and Calhoun got red wild in his nose and was right away. After a thick 15 minutes he came exhausted back, which had walked enough for the rest of the day! And Simon had enough stress for the rest of the weekend, which left Calhoun (fortunately) no more loose! The weather was extraordinary, almost 30 degrees but with a little wind so it was still well toefen. Only for a big walk it was soon too hot for our elderly club; 3 of 10 years and 1 of 11.5. On Saturday so the show, Sonja showed Brandir, Bernice and Silva. There were 9 Deerhounds reported, 8 present. Brandir and Bernice got their first YOUTHCAC and Brandir became JeugdBOB. BOB and BIS became the Kilbourne Harvest Moon, the brother of the father of Brandir and Bernice, living in Finland. Sunday, the coursing for which two Finnish Deerhounds were reported. One of them was blixen the Great Scott, this male had walked with Calhoun in the Czech Republic during the EKC in 2009. It was clear to see that he was a day old! Monday morning we all left again. We first went to Tüttleben to put our caravan there before the Pentecost weekend. From here we drove home on Tuesday.

Thursday, May 9th we had the Deerhound club match. Brandir became third in his class, Coney won the veteran class and Caintha was third in this class. Friday morning 10 May so first with Calhoun to Terneuzen. Then quickly get some stuff in the car, Calhoun out and Brandier Erin and head towards Dortmund. Sonja had left with me at the same time so that we would arrive roughly right in Dortmund. Unfortunately, Sonja landed in more traffic jams than me and I was there before. After a short fifteen minutes brandir and Bernice could greet each other again and we made a lovely walk in the large nearby park. Saturday was the VDH-Europasieger-Ausstellung in the Westphalia halls. 18 Deerhounds reported, 17 present. Brandir won the Youth Class (2) and got his second YOUTHCAC, Europe became Jugendsieger and JugendBOB. Bernice was not reported. For the Sunday there were 9 Deerhounds reported and all present. Brandir was now the only one in the youth class and was given a ZG because he was too young. Why do you sign a young dog in the Youth class???? Surely you can't expect a male of less than a year to finish??!! Luckily we could get away early so we could pack everything quietly and at the end of the afternoon I was back home. Wednesday morning we left again towards Tüttleben where we arrived around three. Angelika and Sonja were there a little later. After having installed everything again, we first took a glass of sect. It was delicious again and the enjoyment could begin. Although I have to admit that I still have to say that I did not travel to the world exhibition in Budapest. For this show I had reported in November Calhoun, Brandir and Bernice. Unfortunately, the bone cancer at Calhoun was reported. I still tried to replace him with Coney but got zero on the petition. Bernice continued to suffer from her panostitis and I decided not to go. Because just to travel with brandir that end and feel in it and in sad because of Calhoun, I didn't feel like it either. Anyway, then make the best of it in Tüttleben. Brandir and Bernice had a lot of fun together and together with Angelika and Sonja we stripped Cody on Thursday of his coat. In stages we shaved and cut him and when he was finished he felt like a young god again.                

Saturday there were 6 Deerhounds reported for the show. Brandir got his 3rd and thus last YOUTHCAC and may now call himself German Youth champion (DWZRV) He was also JeugdBOB. Since he was also the only male, he was automatically the best dog and bunch, he had to make the course against Xena of Angelika, an adult bitch who later became BIS. Bernice got her 2nd Youthcac. At least she shows up very well, we are already very happy with it. Hopefully she will be even stronger in her work because that doesn't look very nice yet.

In the meantime it had often rained very violently and there were gigantic puddles everywhere, so also on the Coursingterrein. Sunday and Monday was the coursing for which Simon was asked to build, run and master the course. On Wednesday afternoon he had already started to turn it off there on Thursday morning the town would partially mow the pasture. At first, Simon had explained a nice long trail, but then it turned out that the chainsaw, normally an iron-strong rotary device, did not pull it. Everything went down again, shortened, extra cut, nothing helped. It really was on the chainsaw. Sin of the beautiful long trail! But because of the rain it was a very spectacular route, the people had to go through water but also the hounds, which of course gave great pictures for the photo dig. Also the Middenterrein of the racecourse, where Brandir and Bernice could go out of their roof every day, showed large puddles. Since Brandir is absolutely not a water rat, Sonja drew her shoes at a given moment and stepped into the lake. Bernice followed faithfully but Brandir trusted it for no penny. After many lures and candies offering, Brandir stepped gently into the puddle and sure enough, he walked by! Next, Sonja lured him a few more times and now he has not disappeared. Meyappan, Meyappan, what a wimp!

On Tuesday there was racecourse training. In recent years Calhoun has always done a round race course, he loved that! Also now I got him up for a round. When he heard the hare and saw he was not to keep! He jumped around and screamed of enthusiasm. When he finally took the turn, he dragged me past the Starthok and was barely able to wait until the hare came. He started out super enthusiastic and walked the whole round. No more Saluki times for Calhoun but he has enjoyed it!! Wednesday Kookdag. Sonja, Angelika and Simon would cook for about 20 men and leave, after the shopping, the kitchen. In comparison with two years back, when there were 60 people to eat, they didn't have much work. At seven o'clock we were able to sit at the table and as usual everyone loved it!

Because of the rain we decided not to stay any longer, Thursday packed up again and drove home in one jerk. Bergen laundry, a wet awning, a dirty caravan and my ceramics that I want to finish before the EKC at the end of June, ensured that there was little time left to bore us. Tomorrow we will depart again towards Lichtenvoorde where Renvereniging Swift organises a coursing for the first time for which Simon has offered his cooperation. Hopefully the weather is a bit like that.