A group pf approximately 21 collie lovers, from as far afield as UK, Denmark and Australia, attended the Italian holiday/conference and show. We opted to stay in the beautiful lakeside town of Stresa on the west shores of Lake Maggiore, and were very comfortably accommodated at the Hotel Milan Speranza Au Lac.

Some of our group in the hotel's dining room:
From L -R; Sam Buckley [Oz], Phillipa Pearce, Val Geddes, Pam Derrick, Fern Sargeant, ? hidden, Jean Taylor-Thorne and Joan House.

The hotel provided superb food and hospitality, and was situated opposite the pier from where regular "hop-on. hop-off" ferries plied between the small, picturesque lake shore towns and the three Borromeo Islands of Isola Bella, Isola Pescatori [fabulous fish restaurants], and Isola Madre. Each of these Islands boasted a palace and superb gardens all in very different styles.

Isola Bella in Lake Maggiore

Pat & Don Hutchinson with Fern Sargeant in the spectacular Palace Gardens on Isola Madre [Mother Island] in Lake Maggiore.

Some of the group visited Milan for the day, whilst others did the coach trip across the border to Switzerland to see Zermatt and the Matterhorn.

The electric "milk float" - the only form of motorised vehicle allowed in the town of Zermatt.

Old and New Swiss chalets in old Zermatt.

The Saturday and Sunday involved the conference and Italian Collie Club shows in the huge Monza park [as well as Collies, some of the men were able to indulge their passions watching drag-racing at the nearby Grand Prix Circuit!!]. The show was followed by a superb dinner at a top quality hotel in the park and we arrived home in the early hours demanding a quiet day on the Monday and promises to cut the alchohol intake!

Some of the group at the hotel in Monza Park, after the show. Don't ask where we washed and changed!!!
Clockwise from L to R: Lyn Westby [UK], Eileen Petti [EIRE], Christian, Thomas Rohlin and Ada Norts [Denmark], Phillipa Pearce, Sue Randall, Joan House, Hazel Hunt, Pam Derrick [hidden], Val Geddes [UK], Gudrun & Bill Hartmann [Germany], Don Hutchinson, Kelly Shafique and Jean Taylor-Thorne [UK].

The I.C.S. extends its very grateful thanks to the the Italian Collie Club for hosting this year's event, and special thanks go to President Gabriella Cazzaniga and her daughter Elizabetta Venturini for doing most of the organisation.

Please click HERE to go to the PHOTO GALLERY [updated 30th July]

The main show winners were:
Smooth Collies were judged by Stella Clark - BOB was the sable dog Oneways Miraculix, owned by Gudrun & Bill Hartmann - sired by Baubon Oklahoma Oliwer x Oneways For Your Eyes Only.

BIS challenge Judges: Alan Clarke, Stella Clark & Ruud Santen Smooth BOB - Gudrun Hartmann's Oneway's Miraculix (Germany) by Baubon Oklahoma Oliwer ex Oneway's For Your Eyes Only Rough (BIS) - Scottlyme Your So Vain by Timeless Twilight's Fame or Fortune ex Harrietshowpuppet

RC BOB challenge judges Alan Clarke (UK)and Ruud Santen (NL) Bitch (BOB) Paola Borsetti's Scottlyme Your So Vain (Italy) by Timeless Twilight's Fame or Fortune ex Harrietshowpuppet Dog - Michel Chambon's Vic Bihl of Colomber Field (France)

Rough Collies: Maria Theresa Garabelli [Italy] judged the Puppies & Juniors: Ruud Santen [NL] Judged the Open, Champions' and Veteran Dog classes; whilst Alan Clarke cast his eyes over the Open, Champions' and Veteran Bitches.

A full illustrated article will be included in the next Handbook.

Pat Hutchinson [June 2006].