When I came back to budgies in 1999 I became good friends with Steve McGrath from the old partnership of Hudson & McGrath. 

Steve invited me to visit some friends of his from Holland and Belgium namely Frank & Marlene Totte'.

Also Karel & Denise Van Overmeiren who have since also become good friends of mine.

Whilst over in Holland I also visited another friend of Steve’s, Jac Cuyten from the partnership Jac Cuyten, & Jan Heesters

That visit for me was a real eye opener the birds I saw there were out of this world and convinced me that this was the type of bird I wanted to breed.

  On returning home from Holland and Belgium I promptly set about selling my original stock to raise the money to return to Holland.

This I did and returned home with nine birds, five hens and four cocks. I also came home with a number of good birds given to me by Frank. 

I have returned to Holland and Belgium every year since and have managed to pick up more good birds from the same bloodlines.

My birds in this short period of time have improved beyond all recognition compared to my original stock.

I still of course have a long way to go before I even get close to the best birds of my friends in Holland and Belgium but I firmly believe my approach is the right one for me.