Denmark Report September 2005

Our visit to Denmark was the third leg of an already exciting judging tour that started with a week in Ireland and continued with a week in Helsinki, Finland. We arrived in Copenhagen and checked into the Imperial Hotel in the downtown area. We would sightsee in Copenhagen for 3 days before taking the train to the western part of Denmark, to the small town of Vegen to judge at a Toy Specialty show sponsored by the Danish Toy Dog Club.

On our first evening we were joined by friends and fellow Shih Tzu breeders Carina Ohman and Kate Johanneson who had taken the ferry down from Gothenburg, Sweden to spend an enjoyable evening together. We strolled down the pedestrian streets in the downtown core enjoying the throngs of tourists and locals taking in the sights and sounds of this historical and vibrant city. We did a bit of shopping and bar hopping before settling down at a highly recommended restaurant that featured a family style dinner complimented by a different wine for each course. The evening ended way to early and we had to rush back for our friends to take the late ferry back to Sweden. We bid our farewells and already yearned for our next meeting.

Copenhagen was celebrating 'all things' Hans Christian Andersen as 2005 is the Bicentennial of his birth. Many of the local attractions centered around the theme generated by this world famous fairy tail writer. The Royal City of Copenhagen is foremost a shipping port and for the tourist features a fascinating history in a city that exudes culture, charm and the 'Danes' themselves who are warm, friendly and very fluent in English. Our first full day we embarked upon our favorite method of introduction to a city which is the sightseeing bus around the city and then boat tour on the Nyhavn canal within the city. We visited many of the main attractions on the 'hop on hop off' tour including the Opera House, Museums, Royal Palace, Carlsberg Brewery and the Little Mermaid Statue to name a few. We also climbed the famous twisted spire of the Church of Our Saviour for an excellent vista of the whole city. We had an enjoyable dinner at a quaint Italian restaurant patio on one of the many pedestrian streets before retiring to bed after a pleasant but exhausting day.

The next day we were off on a bus tour to the city of Odense to maximize our exposure to all things Hans Christian Andersen by visiting the museum in his name. Odense is located west of the eastern section of country where Copenhagen is located known as Zealand on the island province of Funen. The trip through the countryside and visit to the museum and the city of Odense is quite entertaining and suggested for anyone visiting this beautiful country. One quote from Hans Christian Andersen that seemed worth noting was " To travel is to live'. Kind of how we are enjoying our careers as dog show judges and the rewards it offers. In the evening we went to the Tivoli amusement park where we were treated to an awesome visual display called A Tivoli Fairy Tale featuring large lighted characters from Hans Christian Andersen fairy tails. The production was similar in effect to The famous Electric Light Parade at Disney parks.

 

The next day we were off by train to the town of Vegen in the western province of the country called Jutland where Wendy would judge the Toy Specialty. We were met at the train station by club member Helge Skov Nissum who entertained us for the next few days. The evening we arrived we experienced a special festival known at "Open By Night" which featured displays at the local museum as well as businesses staying open late and featuring local food and beverages. The next day we were off to Ribe where we enjoyed a pleasant day and yet another festival featuring wines from around the world, marching bands and all the local color. We climbed to the top of the steeple of the local church in this small town for yet another fantastic view of the countryside all the way to the distant North Sea.

It was now the day which we really came for which was to judge at the Danish Toy Dog Association Specialty Show in Vejen. Wendy judged an entry of 9 Short Coat Chihuahua, 13 Long Coat Chihuahua, 4 Lowchen, 8 Pekingese, 26 Bichon and 22 Shih Tzu. Judge Marion Finnye of Ireland judged 25 Tibetan spaniels, 4 Bostons, 19 Chinese Crested and 18 Yorkshire Terriers. Judge Oliver Noonan of Ireland judged 10 Pugs, 2 Bolognese, 26 Cotons, 2 Petite Braboncon, 3 Brussels Griffons, 20 Bichon Havanais and 6 Japanese Chins. Wendy had the honor of judging Best In Specialty and placed the the Bichon Ch. Yoannewyn See U At Hardy-Flaps, Second was the Shih Tzu Ch. Sannie's S-Anke Tihio, 3rd was the Pekingese Ch. Kisci Flaming Firestone and 4th was the Chinese Crested Ch. Caprioso Chang-De.

The show was well run and chairperson Marie Petersen and her committee are to be congratulated for sponsoring a well attended and well run event. A special thanks to my stewart Tenna Jakobsen who made the day enjoyable and run well with her knowledge and humor while transcribing the critiques.

"To Travel Is To Live"

Hans Christian Anderson

 

Wenrick Reg'd Wendy & Richard Paquette Box 640, 411 St Agnes St W Azilda (Sudbury) ON P0M 1B0 Tel 1-800-836-6661 Fax 1-705-983-5147 e-mail wenrick@wenrick.ca

Wenrick dogs are exclusively fed