Sorry for lack of news the last few days but, after a lovely Christmas Day with my mum and friends I went down with the gastric bug which literally knocked me off my feet.
True to Belgian form Termite decided to have her puppies a week too early--sadly she lost a couple that were just not strong enough but, she has 4 bitches and 3 dogs which, fingers crossed, will be ok now. They are all feeding well and Termite is getting the hang of motherhood. I will endeavour to take some photos tomorrow as I am still a bit wobbly.

Hurray!!!!!!!!! we have water at last thanks to a paint stripper heater! Thawed out the water pipes and then the downpipes as the bath wouldn't empty last night. I had the most decadent bath for about 2 hrs just topping up with hot ! water --a little snooze and came down to find the new woodburner being fitted--it's so warm and cosy now! Dare I say almost too warm! :)

Martin arrived for the holidays so off in the morning to get more animal feed and some last minute bits for Christmas day. It sleeted here earlier and freezing fog was closing in and now water is dripping everywhere. I took a few pics as the light was going--so fuzzy due to the long shutter speed (Celines' nose is not really that shape but she moved before the shutter closed) but it gives you an idea of how bleak it is out here. The last one is of the sprout fields which surround us--we have been so lucky not to have had those harvested before Christmas-lots of mud to come in the New Year but at the moment it doesn't seem quite so bad Lol!

Rhodes and Celine are still enjoying the snow with Caper who has taken the opportunity to house train himself as he is in such a rush to get out there--not so sure he will be that keen once the snow goes though. At least it takes the edge off his enthusiasm for terrorizing everyone-he comes in and sleeps soundly after a towel dry.

Just made some Pate for a starter, now to plan the rest of the menu and bake some cakes and mince pies at last.

Merry Christmas everyone--keep warm and take care out on those roads--not so sure we have seen the last of this yet.

Well it's still snowing! It has been a bit of a week as the water pipes have frozen so no water in the house at all-what a nightmare! Thanks to friends we have been filling up containers but you just don't realise how much water you get through in a day--and take it for granted that it will just be there. No water for the forseeable future either as the pipes had burst recently and had all been replaced but not had time to dig back in so they won't thaw out until the weather warms up. It takes ages thawing out the chickens drinkers and defrosting bunny bottles. Even the manger buckets in the main kennels have frozen by the morning. Looking forward to going to a friends for a bath too!!!

Caper decided to follow his mum and half brother Rhodes out into the snow, and he thinks it is great fun! He wants to be like his brother when he grows up and follows him everywhere--much to Rhodes' disgust. He is such a confident little chap and wasn't phased by it at all.

Belgians seem to love snow and it certainly makes them very silly!!!!

Snow today, everything is white over and quite deep and we had quite a heavy snow fall earlier-sun is out now. Remy, who is staying here whilst Phil is in hospital, loves playing in it, as does Cougar. Bunny, despite being almost 11yrs old, acts like a puppy as soon as it gets cold and frosty.

The chickens, however, were not at all impressed, but the Favarolles braved it--beautiful birds and seem very hardy. The others stayed in bed once they had had their breakfast. More snow forecast, but it is better than the mud--until it thaws! Feels like Christmas but I bet it won't last--our lane is lovely and quiet as we don't get cleared.

Here is Bonvivant Yvre (Lili) at the Nordic Show. She was 2nd Junior class in the first day.

At LKA Remy was 3rd Tervueren PGDog, Elle won PB and was Best Puppy in Breed and Psyche was 3rd in OB Groenendael. A Bruine son was BPD Tervueren. Pictured here is also Ruari (Revloch Yabba Dabba Doo) a Cliche son, was BP and RBD AVNSC. Well Done Tracey and Jean.

The weather has changed again and the temperature has plummeted, with -9 degrees forecast for next week !

Caper went for his first obedience class and was very surprised to see a black and white puppy--he hadn't a clue what it was-but he was very good and very confident in a strange place without his mum. He has turned into quite the mountaineer and has had to be rescued from very high places--onwards and upwards seems to be his latest motto. He starts big school at the end of January.

Sad time yesterday as I took the ancient lurcher, Double Diamond, to be put to sleep at 16 years old.

I am hoping to install a woodburning stove in the kennels soon as, with well below freezing temperatures being forecast,it will take the chill off. Old people will have to have winter rugs this week-if they will keep them on.

Photo of Chiraze with Strike du Domaine de Varoux who she has been mated to in Belgium.

Cougar has things sussed. After his morning game with the rugby ball and a mad scat he bounces into the study and settles down for a nap under the desk. I caught him here on the settee having a kip--it was warmer there than on the floor!

Caper is having great games with his mum now but she is having to put him firmly in his place now and again.He is such a character and so like his dad Zippy in many ways.

Weather has been cold and miserable again and we so need some hard frosts to dry the paddocks out so the dogs can spend more time out there. Freezing here tonight so maybe the rain has stopped for a while! The mud makes all jobs really hard and the chickens are not impressed either. They have been enjoying the small amount of sunshine and have been free ranging to try and give their runs a chance of drying out.

News from Ireland that Toyah has had two healthy pups but so disappointing that both were males--last time she had 5 males and I know Jean was desperately hoping for a female this time.

News from Belgium that Chiraze has passed her brevet "chien d'accompagnement" BH with Gaston. She has also been mated to Strike du Domaine de Varoux. She has a show in December and then will be scanned before returning home to, hopefully, have her puppies.

A mixed bag of weather again with cold, wet windy and sunny. Here is Vogue who has found a lovely sunny dry spot to sunbathe.

Cello had two Christmas parties which he thoroughly enjoyed and he had David for his Tuesday night and Ria for the Wednesday afternoon. Plenty of cake and sausage rolls kept him very happy. No training now until the third week in January so lots of work to do over the holiday.

Caper has a new bed--well two --no expense spared! He likes his banana boxes and has some toys in one and has taken a couple of toys into the one he likes to sleep in. He has modified the edges a bit but they are nice and draught proof.

Another wet soggy weekend and it is really cold too-looking forward to the woodburner being fitted maybe before Christmas!

Well done to a Cliche/Csara daughter-Belsharose Oklahoma (Yana)- on her BPIS at Lichfield, and BP BOB Gp2 at West Torrington this weekend.

Congratulations to Kate with Megan, Bonvivant Wish Me Luck, for passing the Bronze Good Citizens test tonight. Megan is by Bonvivant Kronik x Bonvivant Habibi.

Sadly I lost my two old this weekend-they must have been about 8yrs old which is old for Guinea Pigs.

Caper is 6 weeks old now and a cheeky chap. He insisted on trotting through some stinging nettles and then held his paw up to say how much it hurt. Celine is very tolerant but he is starting to play a bit rougher now and she does put him in his place.

Yesterday was the meeting to discuss Inter Variety mating between Groenendael and Tervueren. It was held at the new KC building at Stoneleigh with Jeff Sampson.

Cross registration(Groenendael in Tervueren litters/Tervueren in Groenoendael litters) has now been allowed indefinitely.

A Breeders Commission will be formed with three candidates from each of the three clubs (BSDA,NBSDC and WBSDS) which will assess each individual claim for IV matings and then submit them to the KC. A letter will be printed in the dog papers shortly inviting anyone who wishes to be put forward to stand on this committee to submit a CV, detailing their interest and knowledge of the breed, to one of the breed clubs for consideration.

Wet, windy and blustery this week but Yaz and Chic enjoyed a game of tug with an old strap they found in the garden. They spent ages racing around.

The chickens nearly got blown away and have decided it is just too miserable to lay any eggs.

Training went really well with Cello and Cruz and I must get some competitions organised for next year.

Christmas party the first week in December and we are having a competition drawing each others dogs name and then have to do some basic exercises. I don't think many people want to draw Cellos' name out of the hat--can't think why not :)) he gets a bit enthusiastic about the treats and does the Mali snap which sounds far worse than it is (as long as they don't use liver cake Lol!)

Caper is growing so fast now and he will start his training in the New Year. I am really looking forward to training him as he is so like his dad Zippy. Weaning him may pose a bit of a problem as Celine shows no sign of discouraging him and he eats his dinners as well as having the milk bar. He is into everything now and likes watching daytime TV crashed out on a duvet. I found him lying on top of Celine today chewing her ears and she is too tolerant really.

News from Belgium that Chiraze should be mated this week to Strike, so maybe she will be home soon.

STOP PRESS!!!!!!!!!!

Deepha got her last 2 points at Open Shows today and has now gained her Show Certificate of Merit--the first Malinois to do so--I think Ann is making a habit of firsts this year !!!!! Congratulations Ann I'm so proud of you both !!

Saturday was the first day of Discover Dogs at Earls Court in London. I took Cruz,Brizo and Psyche along and met up with Karin and Iris and Martin. Karin had made a fabulous display board of Indi and Lowland Search Dog information. Karin took Indi and Yukon and they were brilliant, real ambassadors for the breed, meeting the general public, along with Cruz who would get a good job at Asda as a meet and greet employee. Martin took Antar and Zinka and were joined, periodically, by Brizo who was working the crowd and booth hopping along with Psyche. Cruz was especially good as he got almost sat on by a very enthusiastic young Guide Dog, and a terrier whose owner had no idea what her dog was doing at the end of a flexi lead. Children were duly washed and hugged and we had a lot of comments from people at how they always get a good welcome from the Belgians.

Caroline was there with Otto, Bonvivant Hazur, and was the only Belgian running in the Starters Agility Finals that day. He was just pipped to 2nd in the Jumping by a Kelpie, and was 4th in the Agility and overall 4th. Well Done Caroline, I know you were very nervous but you did us proud.

The booths all looked lovely, adorned with Belgian flags and beautiful photos and lovely Belgians of all four varieties.

What a tiring day, I don't know how people do both days or maybe I'm getting old. Thankfully I travelled with Jacqui and Sue, but it took us hours to get out of London. I have done"not a lot" today and the dogs were really tired too.

David, Candice, Grace and Alex volunteered to do Sunday and I can't wait to see the pics as they had leaflets, stickers and t-shirts made especially and were taking Kiah, Rusty and Tia.

Thankyou to all of you for volunteering, it is nice to see such enthusiasm and pride in your dogs, and putting something back into the breed.