Visiting England

VVIISSIITTIINNGG ......

DENISE MOSS and RINKE BERKENBOSCH IN GELLI, ZUIDWEST WALES

By: Sjaak & Nicolien van der Salm (NL)

So many!! This was our first reaction when were arrived at Denise Moss’ and Rinke Berkenbosch’s place in Gelli, in the south-west of Wales. During this year’s summer holidays in England and Wales we spent a few days with Rinke and Denise. Rinke and I used to visit many poultry shows and sales in Germany and England. I also frequently visited him at his home in Poortugaal (NL). There too he kept many geese, ducks, and chickens in a very large paddock near his home. About eight years ago Rinke migrated to Wales in order to keep even more animals. When he moved he took many geese and ducks with him, a truckload full in fact.

In Gelli they have approxi- mately 4 hectares for their animals. Their house is on a hill with a view of a beautiful valley and the town of Gelli. Behind their house are a few sheds which house many of their animals among which beautiful Shamos in a number of colours but also standard Modern Game.

Left to right: Denise, Rinke and Sjaak v.d. Salm.

The paddocks are divided into a number of enclosures of about 100 m² where pairs or trios of domesticated geese are housed. For the undomesticated goose breeds larger enclosures area available. At the moment (now the breeding season has finished) a large number of both old and young geese and ducks are living together in three large paddocks. The whole area is fenced off with electric fences to keep the foxes out. In total more than 400 geese and 100 ducks live in these paddocks. It takes Rinke and Denise hours every day to look after these animals.

When we arrived with our caravan Denise and Rinke came outside to welcome us. Denise had booked a spot for us on a camping site near by and the four of us drove the caravan to the camping. Once everything was organised we agreed to meet up for dinner in a bistro (pub/ restaurant) in the area. Over dinner we reminisced about the good old days. Denise understands Dutch but doesn’t speak it. After a delicious dinner we went to our caravan for a good night’s sleep.

Right: Nicolien feeding the Chinese Geese. Below: Canada geese with gosling.

The next day we took photos of the animals at Denise and Rinke’s place, and of course Rinke explained about the breeds that are currently there. Among which African Geese, Chinese Geese in three colours, Pomeranian Geese, Sebastopol Geese, Czechian Geese. Brecon Buff Geese, Canada Geese and a number of its sub species, Swan Geese, Barnacle Geese, Ross’ Geese, Snow Geese, Lesser White-Fronted Geese, Emperor Geese, Red-Breasted Geese, Muscovy ducks in many colour varieties, Runner Ducks, Pekin Ducks and many more. In addition there are many chicken breeds such as Naked-Necks, Modern Game in a variety of colours and Shamos.

There are also a number of cats, and they breed ‘Lurcher dogs’ – they are a poacher's dog - someone who goes onto other peoples land to catch rabbits etc with his dog, which is often brindle colour and therefore well camouflaged. They are usually a cross between a 'long- dog' - a greyhound or whippet or deerhound or saluki - with a collie or a Bedlington terrier or similar.

Above: Barnacle Geese.

Above, left, in the back: Swan Geese. In the front: Ross geese. Left: Bar-headed Geese.

Below: Nicolien feeding the Muscovy ducks, the white geese with the small ‘top knop’ are Emporda geese.

Above: A pair of Snow geese, white- phase female (l) and blue-phase gander (r).

Right: Lesser White-Fronted Geese.

Below: Brecon Buff geese.

Above: Chinese geese.

Above: Rinke’s pride: Pied Muscovy ducks. Left: Denise with the Czechian Goose.

On our last day we rose at 7 am. After breakfast we went by car to the Pembrokeshire Country Show in Haverfordwest. An incredibly big show with many animals and a wide variety of stands and stalls. Among the animals there were many cow breeds such as Hereford, Welsh-blacks, Longhorns and miniature Dexter cows. The horses too varied from the very big to the very small: Shire horses and miniature horses. Fantastic! Everything was clean and well organised. The show grounds also had many stands with tractors, cars and even beds. There was also a food hall where string beans, tomatoes, onions, potatoes, home made cakes and bread, were judged and exhibited, as well as flowers such as dahlias, fuchsias, and marigolds as well as flower displays. Too much to mention. There were also many food stalls. Of course we bought fish and chips as is customary when visiting England. Many other ‘rich’ snacks were also available and many people appeared to enjoy eating these.

In the ‘Poultry Hall’ we met Allen Davies, the Secretary of the poultry club of which Denise is also a committee member. About 900 birds were on display, 250 ducks and geese (of which 150 Call ducks) and 650 chickens. I’ve been breeding Dutch Bantams for 20 years and hence I was interested in and took a close look at these; a couple of beautifully coloured partridge pullets stood out. This was confirmed during the award ceremony as one of the partridge pullets was awarded a prize. The organisation of the show was different from what we are used to in the Netherlands where all the varieties of a particular breed are shown together and in order of colour, here this was not the case. What was very noticeable was the variation in the travel boxes some were beautiful others wobbly plastic crates. Great to see! The egg judging competition too had many entries, more than a hundred dishes with eggs were exhibited. We had a great time and spent most of the day walking around the extensive show grounds during which we watched a parade of horses and cattle. All the champions were on show; a sight to behold.

The show lasted three days and the sheep, goats and pigs would be judged on the following days. However our travel schedule meant that we could only spend one day at the Show.

That evening we said farewell to Denise and Rinke. We had a great time in which we saw lots of animals reminisced, and discussed our mutual hobby.