The First Snow of Winter

7.30am and Bryn and I set off, lit up like Christmas Trees in the dark, to go for a walk - AND IT WAS SNOWING big, beautiful flakes. It was only settling in the colder hollows on the hillside, so the rest of the walk was the wet, muddy affair that we have come to know and...hate.

By 8.30am when I set off with Amber and Corker, it had turned to rain again.....when will it ever stop?? So we trudged around the hillside, slipping and sliding as usual, and bringing home enough mud to plant flowers in.

But for at least 40 minutes we had proper snow - the first time this winter!! (And no cold icy wind either - hooray!)

(PS I have cheated with the picture - this was from the early months of this year - last winter)

What did I do...?

What did I do to deserve, not only a really fabulous family, but such great dogs for companions too?

Bryn did well yesterday in an intensive 121 agility coaching session, working so hard for me, and then his HTM class later where he picked things up sooo quickly; Amber has become a real little cuddle bag now that she is semi-retired from agility, though she isn't going to give up her place next to me on the sofa to anyone else; and Corkscrew is being sooo attentive, wanting cuddles - very unlike him - and games and just general closeness. Makes me realise how very blessed I am.

Wilmslow

Myerscough is generally a noisy, busy venue - but Wilmslow DTS always manage to make it seem relaxed and happy, so it is enjoyable going to their shows there. Like yesterday.
Classes only for Large and Small dogs, so neither Amber nor Corker got to play, so it was odd to be hanging around waiting for Bryn's 3 classes. We didn't get going until 10.45am, having walked Sue Morley's Large Combined 3 to 5 Agility course at 8.00am, so not surprisingly I ended up on the wrong side of the dog walk and wasted valuable time trying to get back on track! Bless him, Bryn took it all in his stride - clear round and 17th place! Would have been about 7th if he'd had a better handler!!
Nothing after that until lunchtime when both Large Graded 4/5 Agility and Large Combined 4/5 Jumping went up for walking at the same time. Bryn and I ran first in the Agility - some great technical sections (thanks Nic Jones!) - and did a clear in a fast enough time to finish up as 8th! I was still on a high as I went straight across to the Jumping, and miscued Bryn for the 3rd jump (Said 'Back' instead of the 'Back in' needed) and he did exactly what I told him to do, picking up a jump some way off, as per the training we have been doing about spotting the fence ahead and ignoring the side obstacles. Good boy!! Don't think the judge, Alan Sherwin, could quite understand why I was so pleased to get eliminated - especially as Bryn then returned to the original, highly technical, course, and did a perfectly executed round after that.
So, two rosettes with numbers on them (!) in our first real Grade 4 competition - I drove home through the dark and rain and greasy road spray smiling all the way!!

It's the little things....

For a few weeks now Bryn and I have been doing some HTM classes - very basic moves still, but coming along nicely, and very enjoyable for both of us. Bryn prefers to do touches with his nose, hardly ever using his paws by choice, so tonight was really special when he thought very hard about what he had to do.......and touched my hand firmly with his paw only! It sounds like a little thing, but if you could have seen the concentration on his face, working out exactly what was going to earn him that click and treat. I do love the lad!!

Carpe.....

I have decided to use my Performance Psychology diplomas on myself and the dogs (!), and have chosen Carpe Diem as my motto. Amber and Bryn have chosen Carpe Ossium - unfortunately usually the same ossium....; Corker has chosen Carpe Pinnatum, but only while we are out for a walk and he has flushed the local wild pheasant and grouse a few times.......

Take a Break

I've been promising myself a break away in a proper hotel (!) and also some 121 training with Bryn to try to sort out a few handling issues I have with him.
So off Bryn and I went to The Long Mynd Hotel at Church Stetton (http://www.eurobookings.com/church-stretton-hotels-gb/longmynd-hotel.html?label=gg_en_bh_33990-united-kingdom-church-stretton-longmynd-hotel&gclid=CPLf6d7Hv50CFVVu4wody2Dgrg) for a couple of nights, and a couple of hours training in wonderful scenery with Lee Gibson (http://www.leegibsontraining.co.uk/)
Just don't ask about the journey - either way - or driving over the Burway from Church Stetton to Lee's place the other side of the Long Mynd.....
The hotel was set in the most marvellous location - high on a promontory over-looking the town, with views across to Wenlock Edge, and surrounded by its own woodlands with wonderful walks. Bryn thought the grounds were paradise - though he wasn't so sure about the elavator in the hotel... The hotel had commissioned Dave Bytheway, chainsaw sculptor, to carve animals and birds on fallen logs, tree stumps, tree branches as well as a standing circle of 5 foot high beavers (?) in a glade near the hotel, so taking a walk was fascinating for me too as I tried to spot all the carvings - and failed! Have to go again!!
Lee lives and trains in a beautiful tranquil valley of the Long Mynd, with a stream flowing through the bottom of the vale, and only the sounds of birds, sheep, the wind to be heard. It's idyllic - but I'd hate to try to get there in winter. Bryn and I had two single hours of training, and I proved how unco-ordinated I could be while trying really hard to get mouth, hands and feet in perfect sync. Lee was sooo patient with me! Between sessions I had far too large a lunch at a real olde-world traditional pub, but I did manage to work out what I was supposed to have been doing in the morning. I think I got it slightly better in the afternoon session, but it might have been wishful thinking on my part.
We were both shattered when we got back to the hotel, so had a really relaxing evening. I think we were both ready for bed. However, Bryn took exception to the owls hooting outside, so we spent most of the night in a whispered tussel to stop him barking and waking up the whole hotel. Light on...light off...light on...light off...... neither of us felt much like a long walk the next morning.
Which was just as well as the journey home, which should have taken 3 hours, took 6....Don't ask about the journey!!!!

Signing off in style!

Lune Valley today was Amber's last proper competition. Although not quite 10 years old, and therefore relatively young to be retiring from proper competition in agility, she has had her share of health problems in the past and I want her to continue to enjoy a good quality of life. As spinning between obstacles exacerbates her back problems, I have decided to curtail her agility - effectively to retire her from competition.

How delighted was I to discover that her last 6/7 Jumping course was our idea of jumping heaven! Lots of changes of direction and pull throughs and pass-by's and such like - hardly a straight line in sight. We ran first as no-one else wanted to go - it seems I was in a very small minority in actually liking the course. It was the same course as the Large 6/7 dogs had run, and there were only a handful of clear rounds. That seemed to have put off the Medium handlers a fair bit.

Well, I can't say that it all flowed smoothly but we managed a clear round much to my surprise and delight.......and I was even more surprised and delighted to receive a 4th place rosette!!

Our Winter Season begins....

.....with Ribble's indoor show at Accrington, a new venue to me as they used to be at Osbaldeston. Amber's courses didn't really suit her, so we did our TYOL versions (with judges' prior permission) and she thought she'd just won the Champ class! Well, she did have the fastest course time of the day - 6.02 seconds - just not the right course. Lol!
Bryn was not at all settled in the venue, though I can't work out why as he is usually fine indoors. He was a bit anxious, not working on but watching me carefully (instead of looking where he was going) so getting 5F on the first 2 courses. He managed a Clear and 9th place with a 'nice' round in Comb 1 to 3 Helter Skelter, then got his act together suddenly for the last class of the day, blasting off from the start. As a result I was playing 'catch up', tried to turn a corner too tight - and forced him into having a pole down! Such a shame, as he had a very competitive time, too.
That was Bryn's last Grade 3 show - he goes up to play with the 'big boys and Girls' in Grade 4 at his next show, Lune Valley. I hope he's got over his spookiness at indoor venues by then!

Chatsworth - or retail therapy

I had entered 4 classes each for Amber and Bryn: Medium 1 to 7 agility, jumping and combined small and medium helter skelter, with 'on the day' pairs for Amber; and Large 1 to 3 agility, jumping, helter skelter and pairs for Bryn. In the meantime I had decided only to run Amber in jumping classes, so that would mean 7 classes in total. I ran 3 in total - so what went wrong?
Bryn ran his agility but rolled a pole (huge wooden ones) so I put him back on his contact when it wasn't as perfect as usual, and got him eliminated. Then the helter-skelter class (same for all sizes) was set up, and in my opinion, it was dangerous to run. What you have to know is that the ring at Chatsworth has some plastic boards in the middle of it marking the helipad....novel I know. Anyway, in the rain, they had become very slippery. Most Chatsworth judges avoid this area, or stick something over the top of it like a water jump, but this course would have required me to run across the boards twice, once on a tightish turn, so I opted not to run it. As far as I know, only one handler skidded and fell, but I wasn't risking yet another injury - so I went shopping instead with Corker for company. Try eating a mediterranean chicken wrap with a shopping bag in one hand and a cattle dog in the other!! But sampling the cider/beer/sloe gin was fun.......
After lunch I ran Amber and Bryn in their respective jumping classes. Amber was on a flier, so I decided to layer a section in a way that I can usually only do with Bryn - it didn't work sadly, so another big E. Then Bryn got on the start line - first fence, second fence, sharp left to the tunnel - except Bryn did a right out to the boundary, then a beautiful outrun all the way around the edge of the ring, taking several jumps en route, and back to me. (I suspect he had heard the stunt planes arriving over the hill as Corker has taught him to chase planes....) The judge said I could start again - so he did one of the most impressively clear rounds he has ever done - of course!!
Couldn't be bothered with the pairs, so went for some more retail therapy (bakewell tarts, latte coffee, chocolate sampling...) and watched the terrier racing and log sawing (can anything be less interesting?!?) and birds of prey in the main arena.
The agility may have been crap, but I had a lovely day out!!

Best Laid Plans...

The plan was:
Enter Chatsworth on Friday, and High Peak at nearby Bakewell Showground on Saturday and Sunday. After negotiations, arranged to stay overnight Thursday night at Bakewell so that I could get up at a civilised time on Friday, and tootle the 10 miles or so to Chatsworth. Simples!!
Best laid plans, and all that!!!
The remnants of Hurricane David (or some such) hit the British Isles on Wednesday, bringing torrential rain and gales to the north of the country. Rang High Peak on Thursday morning - was there any danger of the show being cancelled? Told that I could park on the hard standing next to the clubs' caravans to ensure I could get away Friday morning - sorted! So even if the showgorund was waterlogged, I'd be all right jack!
Packed the camper and set off for a blustery drive to Bakewell. Got to the showground and.....no road - just a river where the approach road should be. I could see the caravans on the far side, but there was no way I could drive the camper through the water to get there.... and would I ever get off again in the morning? Rang the show organisers who confirmed the inevitable - Show cancelled.
So, multi-point turn on the road and set off back the way I'd come. Wait a sec! I'd have to go past Chatsworth, so worth calling in to see what the state of play was there.....via the great Chatsworth Farm Shop Restaurant of course. Well, I needed a consolation meal for having driven all that way for nothing!
At Chatsworth the car park was closed - already impassable - but I knew how to get to our usual show spot inside the Country Fair grounds. No sign of the organisers, but the ring looked pretty wet, with the agility equipment standing forlornly in the middle. There was a huge pool of water alongside the ring, and it was evident that the usual car parking places for us were not going to be available this time.
The SatNav took me home via the scenic route, which would have been wonderful except that I was driving a high sided camper in gale force gusts of wind. Got home to the news that, so far as anyone knew, Chatsworth was still scheduled to go ahead.
So, unpacked the camper; packed the car; fuelled the car; and now I'm watching anxiously for confirmation/cancellation to be announced before I start the whole journey again - at some silly hour of the morning! It had better be worth-while....Bryn!!!

Wet Lakeland......

In amongst the sunshine, hail, showers and strong winds I discovered that I need to feed Bryn more.....
He was driving over the dog walk into his down contact - about 6 inches from the contact - when a huge gust of wind picked him up, floated out his coat, and deposited him gently on his feet, in his perfect 2o2o position, about a foot to the far side of the contact. I don't know who was the most surprised: the judge, who froze and exclaimed 'The wind just picked him up!'; me, who froze and exclaimed 'He's just been blown off!'; or Bryn who held his postion perfectly but kept looking at the end of the contact as if not quite sure how it had got over there to the side instead of under his feet!!
No damage done (except to our fairly good chances in the class) as I ran him over that section of the course again, with the judge's permission, and he still powered it - little star!!

Going Up.....
Bryn and I have always done better at the Grade 3 to 5 type courses rather than the Grade 1 to 3 type courses, and a quick check through his Record Book confirmed this for me.
So, although a lot of people scorn dogs being promoted on points, as if it's somehow second rate, after this weekend at WBSDS at Oswestry Bryn will be going up to Grade 4, having got a Clear Round in Jumping, and a 10th and a 6th in two Agility classes, to boost his points score and giving him more than enough points for promotion. So, High Peak will be the first time he runs as a Grade 4 dog, and I have spent some time writing to and phoning Show Secretaries to ask them to change my entries....
Why do people scorn dogs that are promoted on points? How is being consistently well placed worse than having, perhaps, one fluky agility win?

Random Acts of Kindness

I was on my way to Lincoln (JDA Agility Show) on Friday when I passed a car with a bumper sticker that read 'Commit Random Acts of Kindness' and this got me to thinking.
Recently I have received several unexpected RAoKs - not major things, just unexpected, like the lady who paid half my carparking fee at the hospital when she saw I hadn't got enough change. As a beneficiary it changed my outlook on the day, making me so much more good-humoured and 'one with the world'. RAoKs also have a feel-good factor for the benefactor, who knows that they have done something appreciated by others.
So, I got to thinking more: what if we all decided to do at least one Random Act of Kindness a day? It would have to be spontaneous, not pre-planned, and need not be anything major. What happens is that you become far more aware of the needs of others, and are actively seeking opportunities to commit the RAoK. Recipients benefit, and so do we. The world would gradually become a better place to live as we all looked for opportunities to help others in some way - just once a day, and still with a choice of whether to act or not.
What about it? I'd love to hear comments about whether you thought it was worth a shot.
Edited to add: always check first that the RAoK will be acceptable - not all blind/elderly people want to cross the road.........

The Best News

Anyone reading this Blog will probably be aware that my Dad fell and broke his leg on his 90th birthday back in March, and has been in hospital ever since with a variety of ailments acquired there. Four weeks ago he was well enough to move from the Acute Hospital where he was to a Community Hospital about 10 minutes from his home. Altogether, that's four months in hospital!
Well, last Monday he finally came home!!! It was so great to see him back in familiar surroundings even if he does still look a bit frail (he's not usually your frail type!) This week has been quite hard for my mother, trying to establish a new routine at home - no more hospital visiting, but a husband at home who still needs considerable help and support - and as she is 89 years old herself, this is no sinecure. Which is why I have spent this past week living at their house, trying to be of some use, and the dogs have 'enjoyed' being in day-care at the local kennels. How they are going to manage remains to be seen........

Wirral

Wirral has always been a highlight of the year for me, and was just as good this year as ever BUT I was so tired and bad tempered (for no reason) that I couldn't really enjoy it as much as usual. Amber was a little star and managed just 5F (dogwalk as ever) in Agility and a Clear Round in Jumping. Bryn worked with enthusiasm and drive - which took me be surprise after recent rather slow rounds, so we didn't manage any results, but he was mint! I do love that little boy! Corker made sure that the planes didn't land in our garden... some of them seemed low enough to almost do so!
The weather was lovely again - we have been so fortunate this year - and there was a real feeling of camaraderie among club members, like the old days.
Back home, still tired the next day, then BAM!! Norovirus hit with a vengeance!! Maybe that was what had made me feel so 'off' all weekend? 48 hours of living in the bathroom when you have dogs to see to is no joke......Bless them! They were real angels.
Bryn went to his disobedience class last night and worked well - but in between was trying to get the other dogs to join in a bit of fun. Now that's my boy!!

Lakeland Fun

Three days at home from Ireland and off to the Lakes for another 10 day agility break. The roller coaster I seem to be on continued its way:
Great weekend at Lune with our best result being Bryn's 7th in Grade 3 Agility. But when I arrived none of the electrics on the camper worked! After checking everything we decided it was an in-line fuse somewhere - but where? Luckily there was a caravan supplies shop on site, and they promised to look at it as soon as possible in the week, which turned out to be Tuesday.
And it was HOT!!!! Bryn decided that the canal was the only place to be and refused to come out (extended lead for him then!) Amber taught herself to swim properly, even diving under water for toys, but Corker wasn't going near the wet stuff - until I 'accidentally' pushed him in. Unfortunately he already had a slightly split nail on a front paw, and by the time he had scrambled out the nail was split from top to bottom. So, Wednesday was spent going to and from the vet in Kendal where he had the nail removed. Many thanks to Wendy Luty for acting as chauffeur and again on Saturday morning when he had to go back to have the bandage removed. But apologies to those who had planned to have their dogs measured at a session at Hest Bank as I couldn't get there because I was Corker-watching - he was very groggy after the op.
Thursday I helped to run the charity fund-raiser practice ring in the morning, and took the opportunity to try Bryn over the wishing-well, wall, brush fence - no problems. Over the weekend he met some of these again and sailed over them with confidence - good boy!
He had a few clears at the Barrow show (second weekend) but slow - 14th, 16th and two Clear Rounds. Some of his best - even astounding - work came on the courses where he was faulted - beautiful independent contacts and amazing weave entries. What a wonderful dog to own - his band of fans and admirers seems to grow at every show we go to; he's such a lovely lad.
Piles and piles of washing to do at home, and weeds that are huge to try to get rid of - then it will be Wirral!!

Ireland - Part 1

I love Newborough Beach on Anglesey!! Miles and miles of soft sand, all available to dog walkers, as well as thousands of acres of woodland. So, the perfect start for my trip to Ireland was to spend a few hours there, then overnight at Peter Robert's place, doing a bit of agility measuring with him, before catching the ferry the next day. The camper was a bit reluctant to start, like it was cold, although actually the weather was very warm. No worries, sort that out later if need be.
The camper started second time in the morning - in fact, that seemed to be the pattern for starting it. It is 9 years old, so a few idiosyncrasies are to be expected. The ferry trip over was smooth, and the journey from Dun Laoghaire to Portmarnock took scarcely half an hour when in the past it has taken ages to get round the M50. I arrived at the IASDA Show Venue to find Liam, and Frank already there and just about to set up. A lovely venue - a huge rugby club set in a community park that stretches for miles. It overlooks the sea so has wonderful views too. We basked in sunshine as we built the rings and my course for the next day, Saturday. Sarah arrived with her caravan and dogs, and the evening ended with chips from the local chippy, and a good natter about everything that has been happening in Irish agility.
Saturday dawned bright and fair, and I really enjoyed the judging as ever. I did something I don't usually do - I ran Bryn over the 1 to 3 Agility course after the class ended as a lot of people had problems I wasn't expecting. Now Bryn is still only a baby, and he had been left at the camper all day while I judged, so not the best preparation, but he didn't have the problems that I had seen, so I had to decide that it was not the course giving the problems, but perhaps some of the dogs?? The Champ class was fun to judge, but pitched too hard for many of those eligible, especially in the Medium dogs. I had agonised over to set a 'proper' Champ course (UK7) or make it easier, and opted for the former, but now think that was a mistake. Anyway, the Champ Final was more UK6, but still caused some problems for those who got through the qualifying rounds. A bit disappointing for us all - I blame myself for not providing a more exciting end to the show.
We stopped over on Saturday night - barbecuing away -and then Frank allowed Bryn and me to join his training class on Sunday, which was great. It is so nice to have someone else to watch and offer advice - and Frank's advice is always sound. He set quite a demanding course for us to run, with a wicked ending, and I loved working it out as many ways as possible! Great fun!!
Then off to Forest Farm Caravan Site at Athy for the next few days. I've been here a couple of times before, but have to say that it is starting to look its age now - some of the electric hookups don't work, and the showers trickle rather than shower - but it is still a pleasant, tree lined site to stay on. And so to bed......

Ireland - Part 2

Monday - my day of rest! One of the nicest things about Forest Farm Caravan Site at Athy is that it has a huge field to walk the dogs in. Okay, so Corker and Bryn had to stay on the lead to stop them chasing rabbits and cars (the main road is alongside the field) but it is still a nice walk. Just before lunchtime I set off for the Irish National Stud at Kildare - the camper was a bit reluctant to start, but second go it was fine. The National Stud not only houses some fabulous horses, but also some lovely gardens to walk in on a hot day, and a great cafe with home-made food. Lunch was lasagne and salad - probably the best lasagne I have eaten anywhere. Then Corker and I went for a walk round the gardens and stables, finishing with a coffee outside the cafe in the garden. It was good to get some alone-time with my boy!!
Tuesday - after lunch Liam arrived to lead me to his training venue for the afternoon/evening training session. I've been before but can never remember how to get there! There were just 7 of us, so I set some exercises based on what I had seen as problems at the IASDA show, and we worked on handling skills for those. I also worked Bryn, and just about everyone had a go at working Corker - bless him, he hasn't forgotten anything even after nearly 4 years!!
Wednesday - the close, hot weather broke during the night with a tremendous downpour all night, so little sleep for any of us. The morning was still the same, so after a short walk, we retired to the camper where I read books all day, and slept. The was no prospect of doing any outside work in that weather. After lunch I went to the local garage (the camper still reluctant to start) for some fuel and some bits and pieces from the shop, but that was all for the whole day. It felt a bit wasted.
I woke up on Thursday to find I had been invaded! Three tents had pitched on what I assumed was my pitch! One car was so close to the back door that I had to ask for it to be moved. I had considered staying at Athy until Friday, but this invasion decided me and I set off for Rush, North Dublin, just after lunch.

Ireland - Part 3

Thursday afternoon and evening, and Friday, at North Beach, Rush was wonderful for me and the dogs. The tide was out when we arrived, and the camp site fairly empty, so we walked the beach from end to end, playing in the rock pools and chasing the waves. The camper ended up with most of the beach sand inside! A lovely relaxing couple of days. The new IKC Working Party monthly meeting was held Thursday evening - it's going to be interesting watching how things progress on the agility front at the IKC now that there is a formal channel for communication with the ever increasing number of competitors.....
Friday lunchtime I moved to the National Show Centre at Cloghran, ready for Swords Championship show the next day. I really don't think that breed shows can continue to host agility as the sport has outgrown them, and they really have no idea/understanding of agility's needs. A big arena was marked out - right in front of the main steps into the building, in the middle of what would become the carpark, and with a ditch running diagonally through the middle of it! The equipment - still dirty from its last use - was dumped in the ring and that was it. When the judge arrived to set her course for the next day there was absolutely no-one to help her - but dozens of people to set up and ornament the Best in Show ring 50 yards away! It's just not the way to treat judges.
The next day - still no-one to help. It was left to agility people to set up and run the ring. There was no-one to direct carparking either, and this became a health and safety problem for the ring later, with cars parked no more than 6 feet from the ring entrance and exit, and an ad hoc roadway so close to one side of the ring that one car actually touched the ring rope going past. I complained officially to the Show Manager/Club Chairman, who was dismissive and rude in his attitude, and to the Club President, who was far more concerned and authorized us to block off the roadway before anyone or any dog got injured or killed. A letter will be going this week to back my verbal complaint. One handler also fell in the ditch and sprained his wrist, so another letter might be going their way as well.
Thanks to Jessica and Judith, both my dogs were measured before they were needed for their runs!
The courses were very flowing (steeplechase was the word used by most competitors to describe them). Amber ran all her classes just as a test of her fitness, and was okay - all right, she was Crazy Frog in top flight!! Bryn really started to power, which was lovely! No clear rounds, but not his fault - I tripped in the ditch in one run; pulled him out of the weaves in his best run; turned him too tight on his third run so pulled off a pole. The weather was hot and sunny - a lovely day among good friends!
Working Trials Club of Ireland Agility Show the next day at Tymon Park. I stopped overnight at Camac Valley Caravan Park just off the N7, nearer to the show for the next day. (Lovely, lovely shower after a hot day of agility!) Now this club know how to run a show. The nature of the showground, their training ground, is such that it can't be set up the night before but everything has to be done in the morning. Club members were there in force to rally round - build a ring and the first course, put up a marquee, get all the tickets and catalogues issued, get the show on the road. Again, very flowing courses, but with the addition of quite a few pullthroughs. I really must teach Bryn to do pullthroughs some time...... Amber was a little stiff after Saturday, so I decided not to run her in the morning agility classes, and see how she was for the jumping class in the afternoon. Well, she managed all the sendaway parts surprisingly, but argued furiously about the rest. She ended up with a very slow clear round, and her first point in her new Record Book!!
Bryn was lovely. First class, he wasn't powering at all, and seemed a bit diffident, not understanding the pullthrough at all, so I nursed him round with a couple of poles down. Then he went up a couple of gears and went clear in his next agility and jumping rounds - 2nd in the agility!! So more points for his new Record Book too!!
The camper was still being a bit reluctant to start, but we got back to the Caravan Site safely, and settled down for our last night in Ireland. Very sad.
So, the final day. A long walk in the park next door for the dogs, then breakfast for us all and a shower for me, before packing up to leave for the 1.30pm ferry at 11.00am. Except that the camper wouldn't start at all.....PANIC!!!!....ring the recovery people....they can't get anyone to me before 12 which would mean missing the ferry....and they were only prepared to take the camper to the nearest garage and me (with 3 dogs??!!) to a hotel if necessary. I went into the site office to find the number for the ferry port so as to change my booking. Which is when my knight in shining armour - the Manager - came to the rescue. He got the camper started, and with strict instructions not to switch off the engine until we were on the ferry, he sent me on my way. It was an extremely hot day and the engine nearly overheated waiting to board the ferry because I couldn't switch it off - nor could I take the dogs far for a walk as I need to keep an eye on the camper with the engine still running and the keys inside.....
The time came to disembark.....would the camper start?? Reluctantly, but it did! Poor dogs - instead of stopping to give them a run at a country park as usual, I kept my foot down and drove directly home, arriving at 7.30pm. Stress levels were so high!
My wonderful local garage came up trumps and fitted me in the next morning - by the afternoon the camper had a new starter motor and was ready for its travels again. What an end to a lovely week away!!

What a contrast!!

Last weekend when I judged at Wigton it was so hot it was cracking the flags and I got a touch of heatstroke. Yesterday I judged at the new ABC show at Winterton and, well, the venue name says it all! There was a fierce icy wind, all the way from the arctic. Thank goodness I hadn't emptied out the thermals and fleeces from earlier in the year or I wouldn't have survived.
It was another great show - all about ABCs (Anything But Collies) though there were some runs for the collies as well. Lovely to see so many 'other breeds' especially Weimaraners, as it was run in the name of the Weimaraner Association of Great Britain. Six runs each day for each ABC dog, and one for the BC/WSDs. Amber was exhausted!
About 8 of us went from White Rose, so had a very sociable time camping and eating together. I really hope they run the show again next year, and expand a bit on what they have managed this year. A KC/Pedigree Foods ABC Qualifier would be nice.........