Siamese Planet was out in force at the Blue Pointed Siamese Cat Club Show 2005, seasoned reporter Sharon Homer-Wheeler of Withajay Siamese was reporting, ably assisted by Jools Burgess a moderator on Siamese Planet's Siamese Cat Chat board who is also embarking on the world of showing and breeding in the next year.

Jools said of the day:

"I realised at short notice that there was going to be a show more or less on my doorstep and resolved to head to Hertford and shop till I dropped for my little chocolate bundle of Mystic Tree mischief that is coming to live with me next month (any excuse !)

I've visited shows before – to shop, obviously, to gaze upon all those gorgeous cats, meet acquaintances “in the flesh” that I've met in cyberspace through Siamese Planet and even entered one once, just to see what it was all about.

The Blue Point show was different – very small and intimate and far less focus on shopping, more on the heroes of the day – all those scrumptious siameses (and of course the gorgeous non-pedigree cats – I was particularly drawn to the long-haired one with Siamese type points who spent the entire day asleep in her litter tray !)

Hertford is a lovely little market town – it was easy to park and easy to find the venue – loads of space and seats in the foyer to rest your weary feet and a roomy hall with loads of space to accommodate the fifty or so cats that had turned out. It wasn't too busy, despite the very reasonable entrance fee for visitors and it was lovely to be able to get really close to some of the cats and chat to the owners and breeders and start learning more detail about the SOP and the differences between the various cats in each class. I could even get a view of the BIS judging – often difficult at bigger shows.

The show schedule mentions that the future of small breed shows is uncertain – entries dropping and costs going up. This is a lovely venue and it would be a shame to lose a small and intimate show like this. I'd recommend a visit to Hertford – maybe we can attract more visitors next year- even if there aren't many trade stalls, there is still ample opportunity for a wander through the market or down by the river.

First order of the day was spiders – my almost 2 year old lilac girl adores them, but I'm not adept enough to make them Leia-proof !! I bought around a dozen of 4 different types – from the Tabby Point and Blue Point stalls. Foolishly, the carrier bag containing these delights was left out and accessible when I went out that evening and I came home to find spiders strewn from one end of the house to the other and one very tired and happy little puss ! The favourite seems to be the Daddy Long Legs from the Tabby Point stall – and thanks for the mail order details – you'll be getting another order from me before too long

I'd come in particular to meet another Siamese Planet reporter, Sharon, who was collating results and taking pictures – for anyone who had their picture taken, I was the one waving the spider, desperately trying to persuade some camera-shy felines to look at the camera!

I have to mention one particular little lilac girl who I fell completely head over heels in love with – Mapu Truly Scrumptious is indeed truly scrumptious to me as a confirmed lilac lover and I kept sneaking back for another look. A very composed puss – slept or played the day away and didn't even seem to notice she was on show !

PICTURES FROM THE BLUE POINTED SIAMESE CAT CLUB SHOW 2005