Last night, while waiting in the lobby, the UK team came in led by Greg & Laura Derrett (they aren't running, just coaching/managing).  We must have intimidated them because they then followed us to the same restaurant—to try to figure out just what was fueling Team Canada... (I have the urge to add a smiley face here, but I realize in my last post there were waaaaaaay too many of them, so I'm trying to cut back)

We had another good dinner and Tracey read us some of the emails from some of you back home.  We all got a kick out of Kim Cullen's messages to each team member.  I can't remember her exact phrasing (it was much more witty), but mine was that mine was to run fast and to stay away from Fly's jaws on the Gamblers & Snooker.

There is a great breakfast buffet in the hotel with plenty of different kinds of breads, fruits and cheeses.  I have discovered that my Team Canada coat is the *perfect* buffet coat as it has huge pockets on the inside.  They can fit a few apples in one side and a sandwich in the other.  For some reason the rest of the team finds it funny that I put a sandwich in a poop bag in my pocket.  It IS a clean poop bag and if I'm ever caught without, I can eat the sandwich and have a spare bag!

I'm off to meet the gang to go to the competition site for the first time.  Should be exciting!  More when I return...

The team and our supporters (who keep appearing—who knows, maybe we'll fill our huge bus yet?) took the bus to the fields at Ingelmunster which are about 15 minutes away.  We arrived early, had a look around and then went for our vet check and measurements.  Fly and the 'Maxi' class dogs didn't need a measurement and went straight to the vet check where they had their health & rabies certificates checked, their microchips located and had a quick physical examination (eyes, ears, heart, skin). We also decorated the stands in the arena with many, many Canadian flags (which of course I forgot to take a picture of!).


The stadium:  Before the Canadian Flags went up

We then had two practice sessions on the equipment—one session on each field that we will be using.  It was a little rushed, but it was so very hot that the dogs got their fill of the equipment even if I didn't!  All went well for Fly and I.  His contacts are super-fast.  I'm thinking he's feeling very comfortable on the rubber surface and he doesn't seem to care in the slightest about the slats on the dog walk.  He did have one fly off on the teeter, but recovered well.  He is having a little bit of issues with the big, non-taped weave poles, but once he hits that entry, he's never moved so fast in his life.  Hope I can beat him to the end of 12 poles!  I might not if there are just six however.

Practice session (Marie-Pierre with Minnie & Sannen & Target.  Manager Tracy looking on)

The agility fields are wonderful with real grass, cut very short.  There are stands on all four sides of the stadium, so there should be good visibilty by all.

At all of our practices, we've been doing team warm ups.  They are a lot of fun (even though most of us had some seriously sore bums the first time!) and sure do get the other teams looking at us!

I've decided that all trips that I go on from now on, I'm bringing Tracy.  She's the best manager ever.  She keeps calm, fields all our repetitive questions and appears organized beyond belief   (sorry, had to use the smiley this time).  I think Tracy's highlight of today was when the vet's scanner broke/couldn't read the US team's microchips and he came looking for the one that Tracy had rented back home.  She paraded that scanner right by the whole US team very proudly!  I know she's really wishing she were here running a dog, but I'm selfishly glad she isn't.

Nathalie Lafleur met us at the stadium and it was great to have another supporter.  She helped us with quick height changes during our practice session and we will see her again tonight at the welcome banquet.  Unfortunately, she's not staying in the same town, but will meet us at the arena each day.  I also got word that a couple of my oldest (not in age, but ones that I've known my whole life!) friends, Anne MacDougall & Gavin McFarlane, will be making the trek across the Channel to watch on Saturday.  I'm very excited!

I'm off to have a quick nap.  These late night dinners are starting to catch up with me.  My new found energy from yesterday appears to be long gone <sigh>.


Some weird equipment at the stadium.  I know its hard to see, but there's a metal frame with a several dozen tennis balls haging off of it.  I don't know what it is, but I know Piper would love it!!!