We arrived at Tredegar House and Gardens in a shower of rain to be greeted by the camping officials who showed us to our pitches. Once we had set up it was time to walk the dogs in an area close by which had been reserved for exercise, it was something of a bore to find that only 2 dogs per handler were allowed off lead so I walked mine in 3 relays. As this area was close to the busy main road Breda was concerned that the dogs might escape on to the road however her fears were allayed when I pointed out that no way were they going to get over or through the twenty foot stone wall which surrounded the place! Swallows and House Martins skimmed the grass enticing the dogs to fruitless chase in which they stood no chance whatsoever! It was remarked upon by my neighbours that my caravan bore a marked similarity to the Tardis as they found it hard to believe that all 6 dogs and myself actually fitted in!!
Contrary to the forecast Saturday was dry with sunny periods in marked contrast in what we were to endure the following day! Kai and Keets ran well and had clear rounds as did Chart who came 14th in a difficult jumping course which eliminated many. It was a shame that some of the grade 3/4 courses were in fact harder than the grade 6/7! Once again, having checked with the judge Roli was able to jump NFC at the lower height, his joy after completing his trot around the ring was apparent and he rejoiced in a great game of tuggy with his lead afterwards. Tambi in his anxiety to be off started his round before being given permission and was eliminated, a shame as once he was returned to the start line he set off to do a really good clear round! The show ran like clockwork and we had completed our runs by 4 o'clock. Breda and I took the dogs out in two relays around the lake, a lovely walk which we all enjoyed, Brigg, Chart and Keets had an extended walk thanks to Brigg who paddled in the edge of the lake and emerged with stinking black legs, we had to re trace our steps until an area of clear water was found to rinse him off. The huge lake was surrounded by a woodland walk mainly populated with giant fir trees, all manor of water fowl were to be seen dibbling among the water lilies and reeds. Despite being told that on no account were the dogs to go swimming several people were actively throwing sticks and balls into the lake for their dogs to retrieve, mine were reasonably well behaved apart from a quick paddle for a drink! It appeared that the 2 dogs off lead per handler was a rule which did not apply to all and I must admit to being cross at seeing multiple dogs racing free with a single handler!
Heavy overnight rain thundered on the caravan roof coupled with an incredible amount of noise from aircraft around 2 am which made for a sleepless night. This was a day of the most incredible extremes of weather and temperature. The rain at times could only be described as a complete deluge when visibility was down to a few yards and one shivered as the temperature dropped and despite waterproofs we were absolutely soaked through to the skin yet once the sun battled through the cloud it was incredibly warm. I have run in bad conditions before but nothing could compare to this! There were times when all rings were abandoned and we all raced for as much cover as the trees afforded which was very little in the circumstances! I splashed around one course after a heavy shower when there must have been a couple of inches of water on the course. There was no point in changing into dry clothes or shoes, one just remained squelching in sodden trainers and clothes which alternately got soaked and dried in the short bursts of sunlight. Tambi did manage to contain himself at the start this time and executed a nice clear round, the only other clear round of the day went to Chart in the Collie Dash. Kai and Keets were uncharacteristically knocking poles as were a great many other dogs, the waterlogged ground was slippery and added to that there were my most hated plastic poles! We were almost through Kai's agility course and with just 20 dogs to go the judge decided that the area around a group of jumps was too dangerous for handlers and after much deliberation the jumps were moved and sand put down on the muddy area, why the judge did not leave things as they were and put the sand down on the affected area I will never know, as it was the whole class had to re started from scratch! I did not bother to run Kai in the 6/7 Collie Dash, having walked it the course was what one would term a blast for the dogs, straightforward and frankly boring besides which in view of the weather I was anxious to pack up and return home. Despite 'water features' having formed either side of my caravan I was fortunate to be able to proceed cautiously without being towed off site.
Contrary to the forecast Saturday was dry with sunny periods in marked contrast in what we were to endure the following day! Kai and Keets ran well and had clear rounds as did Chart who came 14th in a difficult jumping course which eliminated many. It was a shame that some of the grade 3/4 courses were in fact harder than the grade 6/7! Once again, having checked with the judge Roli was able to jump NFC at the lower height, his joy after completing his trot around the ring was apparent and he rejoiced in a great game of tuggy with his lead afterwards. Tambi in his anxiety to be off started his round before being given permission and was eliminated, a shame as once he was returned to the start line he set off to do a really good clear round! The show ran like clockwork and we had completed our runs by 4 o'clock. Breda and I took the dogs out in two relays around the lake, a lovely walk which we all enjoyed, Brigg, Chart and Keets had an extended walk thanks to Brigg who paddled in the edge of the lake and emerged with stinking black legs, we had to re trace our steps until an area of clear water was found to rinse him off. The huge lake was surrounded by a woodland walk mainly populated with giant fir trees, all manor of water fowl were to be seen dibbling among the water lilies and reeds. Despite being told that on no account were the dogs to go swimming several people were actively throwing sticks and balls into the lake for their dogs to retrieve, mine were reasonably well behaved apart from a quick paddle for a drink! It appeared that the 2 dogs off lead per handler was a rule which did not apply to all and I must admit to being cross at seeing multiple dogs racing free with a single handler!
Heavy overnight rain thundered on the caravan roof coupled with an incredible amount of noise from aircraft around 2 am which made for a sleepless night. This was a day of the most incredible extremes of weather and temperature. The rain at times could only be described as a complete deluge when visibility was down to a few yards and one shivered as the temperature dropped and despite waterproofs we were absolutely soaked through to the skin yet once the sun battled through the cloud it was incredibly warm. I have run in bad conditions before but nothing could compare to this! There were times when all rings were abandoned and we all raced for as much cover as the trees afforded which was very little in the circumstances! I splashed around one course after a heavy shower when there must have been a couple of inches of water on the course. There was no point in changing into dry clothes or shoes, one just remained squelching in sodden trainers and clothes which alternately got soaked and dried in the short bursts of sunlight. Tambi did manage to contain himself at the start this time and executed a nice clear round, the only other clear round of the day went to Chart in the Collie Dash. Kai and Keets were uncharacteristically knocking poles as were a great many other dogs, the waterlogged ground was slippery and added to that there were my most hated plastic poles! We were almost through Kai's agility course and with just 20 dogs to go the judge decided that the area around a group of jumps was too dangerous for handlers and after much deliberation the jumps were moved and sand put down on the muddy area, why the judge did not leave things as they were and put the sand down on the affected area I will never know, as it was the whole class had to re started from scratch! I did not bother to run Kai in the 6/7 Collie Dash, having walked it the course was what one would term a blast for the dogs, straightforward and frankly boring besides which in view of the weather I was anxious to pack up and return home. Despite 'water features' having formed either side of my caravan I was fortunate to be able to proceed cautiously without being towed off site.
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