On Trip to the All England Koi Show and France
Yes, we are off! On our way to the Koi Show in France and the All England Koi Show in England. And all in one weekend. This would not be possible without the excellent travel organization of Ruud Besems and Ronald Stam. In two comfortable Volkswagen vans we will make the trip from Breda to France. A trip full of adventure and friendship, completely in the style of R&R Koi Travel.
The French Koi Show
Arriving in France, we may look forward to the beautiful koi of Les Bleus. I am curious what level awaits us there and what the atmosphere and organization of this French Koi Show will be like. Shows in France have been on the rise in recent years, and it promises to be exciting. My son Sem, who has already attended three other shows this year as a member of Team KoiQuestion, will be taking pictures with his digital reflex camera. He is becoming more skilled at capturing these beautiful moments.
We will only be able to spend a few hours at this show, because the same day we leave for England by boat via Calais. It will be a race against time, but that’s part of this kind of adventure. After a well-deserved night’s sleep and probably a few pints, we will make our appearance at the 2024 All England Koi Show the next day.
The All England Koi Show
It has already been announced on Facebook that the ‘Crazy Dutch’ will appear at the All England Koi Show, and we are ready! Just as we often welcome delegations from England or Italy to our shows, it is a valuable experience for us to meet English Koi enthusiasts. We are greatly looking forward to shaking hands with both acquaintances and strangers and watching the beautiful koi in the competition together. This competition is known for its high level, and we are especially curious about the different rankings.
An Anniversary to Celebrate
This year is extra special because it is the 10th anniversary edition of R&R Koi Travel to England. In honor of this occasion, we had beautiful shirts made, with a big “10” on the back. It feels like we are all a little Messi this weekend! With this special edition, we hope to have another unforgettable experience with our travel companions.
Friendship Through Scales
In addition to the shows, I also look forward to the fair surrounding the All England Koi Show. It has a character all its own and offers plenty of opportunities to discover the latest developments in the Koi world. The slogan “Friendship through Scales” of the ZNA, the Zen-Nippon-Airinkai association, to which judges like Ruud and Ronald belong, emphasizes the unifying power of our common passion.
The Travel Companions
This trip would not be the same without our wonderful traveling companions. Paul van Mierlo, Ronny Hartkamp, Gerard de Greef, Louis Wauben, Ger and Mieke van der Meer, ZhenZhen Li of Mountain Tree, and Marcel Klijn and others are all part of this special group. Together we provide a lot of fun, humor and valuable conversations during this adventurous journey.
A Journey of Memories
This is the third time I have come along on this trip, and the previous editions have given me valuable friendships, both with people I still see regularly, and with those who have sadly passed away. The lessons I have been able to learn from them have been invaluable. I look forward to making new memories with my son and with our wonderful group again this year. It is guaranteed to be a golden time!
Stay Tuned
Keep an eye on KoiQuestion for reports from this trip. No doubt we will look back on a great experience full of koi, friendship and fun. See you then!
