The BCC club show was held at the weekend, and Farley attended, gaining a 3rd place in Post Graduate, and 2nd Place in Mid limit class - thank you breed judge, Peter Fox. We had a lovely day, good to meet up with friends, chat and cuddle lots of baby beardies. No disasters to report and Mrs Sat Nav reasonably well behaved though I'm being to think she doesn't know the M40 exists!
Sunday, Farley looked normal i.e. grubby again and can stay that way until the New Year now. We have not been to any shows during November, instead resting at home, or enjoying the company of others whilst the humans went to Cyprus to visit family. For a whole week Ann and Woody came to stay. Landa had great fun as she came into season and had the choice of two boys to flirt with! Watch this space to see if their is a paternity issue (oh, I so hope not!). Soo Sorry Ann for the extra hassle. If you ever need a house sitter/ dog walker, let me know as Ann ("Woody's Walks") is brilliant! Then the humans went for a day trip to Bruges and we enjoyed our day and walkies with Sian and Robert. Ok then, Purdey decided she wasn't going to go with them out of the front gate and plonked her bum on the road and wouldn't shift! They said she is cute/ sweet - I'd call it something else, more like bloody stubborn! She decided she did go when they went through the garden and our the back gate, thats what I'd call the behaviour of a Lancashire lass! Currently doing the Christmas card - a master piece in the making as usual - watch this space. An early start of 4.50am , followed by a three hour drive to Stafford for the Midland Counties Canine Society 38th Championship show at Stafford, rewarded with a First place for Farley in Post Graduate class under breed judge Haydn Platts. Absolutely thrilled! Thank you Haydn.
Big hug to Farley too, for 1) "singing" and barking most of the time we were at the show 2) behaving himself most of the time! 3) to Sheila for her company on what was a very long day- road works and restricted speed limits everywhere 4) to "Mrs Satnav" for her complete rubbish she uttered all the way home - she doesn't seem to like Birmingham area any more than we do!!! She will have to be sacked very soon unless she mends her ways. 4) Wonderful Jezz for filling the car up with patrol (£73 - how much!), (plus £11.00 return for the M6 toll) and holding the fort back home whilst we jolly about the countryside in search of coloured bits of prize card. I couldn't take young Farley as he was unwell, so instead I travelled to the show with friends Beau and Bella. Beau and I have a loving relationship and I often get to share a enthusiastic wet kiss and a cuddle. That is, until I try to get at the knots on his undercarriage, and then he no longer loves me... Here is a picture of the handsome boy! We decided to make a get away last weekend - went camping in the South Downs National park taking our new tent. How pleasant to be able to stand up straight in our new canvas mansion! There will even be room for three dog beds when the weather is dryer. Very enjoyable long walks in the landscape resulting in lots of sore feet! Be warned if you try it, the hairy burrs are abundant in places and so we have brought many specimens back with us, carelessly transported inside the dogs coats. One nearly groomed out, two to go!
Landa in disgrace - Bad girl got very excited around the back end of a horse and rider who caught us by surprise this evening (horse & rider out galloping under trees in dusk). Landa is lucky the horse was better mannered than she was. Back to training lessons, and an embarrassed exit back home. I hate them when they show you up... Pastoral Day at Richmond held in the beautiful grounds of Loseley House, near Godalming. Pouring rain during the night and several sharp heavy showers during the morning, one of which caught us right on cue whilst doing "our turn" in the show ring. A very large cold wet dose of water from the edge of a marque does wonders for keeping you awake!
Farley placed second out of class of ten, in Post Graduate class, under judge Joy Crowther, and a very pleasing result as it was a strong class. Photograph to follow. Saturday 31st August.
City of Birmingham Canine Association General championship show. Awoke 5.15 am and out of the house with clean Farley by 5.40, deciding to go via the rec so that he could have a leg stretch and finish what he hadn't done in the garden. He chose do spend the time playing "catch me if you can!" , nose on front paws bum high, and running away. Resulting in me being 1. late! 2. puffed! 3. irritated! 4. pondering how to catch the monkey! 5. dirty feet 6. Hairy balls and spikey seedpods all caught up in his feet hair. ummmmm and he looked perfect to me last night. Eventually arrived at friend, Beau's & Sheila's place (she having woken Jezz a second time that morning to ask where was I!) , left her place at 6.20 am, arriving in Stoneleigh Park, near Coventry, around 8.20am. Grass was wet and the long gravel lane was so dry & dusty so the dirt stuck to his feet, Farley ended up for a second time that morning with grubby legs. It's not going all that well at this point in the day! Feet were washed in the dogs small water bowl and copious amounts of talc powder etc chucked on afterwards to get him dry for a 9 o'clock start judging time. Then long walk to find the main toilet block closed and at the other location, a queue for the ladies, made me see the red mist. Luckily for us, the judging time was delayed by the organisation until 9.30 am giving just enough time for a reasonable re -grooming and drying time, with the fabulous help of Sheila (I hope she had her ears closed at that moment - I was not a happy companion!). Dare we say it, my hairy baby is beginning to turn into a handsome young man at 2 years and 5 months old- he's filling out, getting a six pack, got a sticky willy, and he now doesn't introduce himself to the front end of the girls! He's taken up hind leg investigations rather too eagerly! That and the constant singing/barking with excitement, I wasn't having any expectations of having a good class. However, it just goes to show that I can be wrong, because he pulled himself together and was motoring and well behaved in the ring, and secured himself first place in the Graduate class against 7 others. Thank you to breed judge Denise Barley, We are very pleased, thank you! We left the show around 3-4 o'clock, via the long way round as "Mrs Satnav" was on form and directed us north via Coventry, Birmingham, (instead of south to Warwick and M40 home) and at that point I overruled her and insisted we went back via M42/m40. I thought technology was s'posed to help but the old fashioned way with a paper map seems to suit me better? This little detour added an extra half hour to the journey time, and after dropping Beau and Sheila off, eventually got home at 6.50pm. A very satisfying days result. Just heard that we have had two photographs selected for use in the Bearded Collie Club calendar for next year. Miss April and Miss December!
The calendar is due to be printed in September and they always sell quickly, so order yours now! http://www.beardedcollieclub.co.uk Sunday 30th June
Windsor Championship show, or Hardrock Calling festival with The boss, Bruce Springsteen headlining at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Stadium! Let me see! Oh yes, if I am quick and stupid can we do both in one day? ! Left home 7.20 am with a clean Farley, arriving at Home Park Windsor by about 8.45 am (£10 to park yikes! ) . He was entered in Post Graduate dog with 7 others. Well behaved but not in with a shout today. Packed bags and legged it home for Noon. Grab the first bite and drink of the day and then driven to Stratford by Jezz so I could have a snooze in the car! Arrived Olympic site and seemed to wait ages whilst they sorted out car parking, and then a lengthy walk into the venue (the second long trek of the day). Enjoyed fabulous music , sunshine, amazing iconic scenery in sunset and snacks until late into the evening. the Boss is a legend and so much energy, I wish I had half of his! Whilst stuffing my face with a chicken curry wrap turned round to find Boris Johnson , London Mayor, plus crumpled suit and bike, immediately behind me. I resisted the temptation to take a picture. Long walk back to car, and very long wait to try and get out of the venue, hit traffic outside of Wembley (Robbie concert finished at same time) , and home by 2am. Who says two into one doesnt go! Thank you to Lynne for looking after the hairies for us, and making our outing possible. |
Adele HallI was raised with dogs always about the house. Cairn terrier, German shepherds, Belgian shepherd, Bull mastifffs, Dachunds, min poodles. As soon as I could - the search was on! What bred would suit me? Then I saw a shaggy dog - the rest is history! Archives
December 2019
Categories |