Monday 4 August 2008

Weekend in Lincolnshire

What a weekend we just had. On Friday I worked until 11.30 and had every intention of being on the road at 12.00 ~ but you know what they say about the best laid plans. Tiva and I got on the road at 12.45 and had an uneventful trip to Jan's house, arriving (via Sat Nav directions, thanks TomTom) at 7.15, only 15 minutes later than I had said I would be there!

Ann was already there with her dogs, and Jackie was there with hers. I also met Garth, Brian and Jerri, and Martin. I got my tent all set up in the paddock and went back to the house where Jan had some dinner for me. We all sat and talked and helped Jan do stuff until at 11.00, I couldn't keep my eyes open, and begged off and went to bed.

It was windy and poured rain off and on and Tiva was very restless. She finally settled, after eating a bowl of food at 2 a.m., and we slept for two hours before getting up at 4 to set off for the show grounds at 5!

That is where things started to go wrong. One of Martins dogs jumped out of her crate in the truck and caught her chest and teat on a hook! Jan got that cleaned up and it was decided to go ahead and take her to the show. So, a 1/2 hour behind schedule, we set off in a 2-car convoy. We arrived at 8.45, later than planned, but they put the start time back from 9 to 9.30, so the immediate pressure was off.

Later, while Jan was in the ring, one of her dogs got ill! It seemed to do better after a bit but then relapsed. So arrangements were made to swap dogs and rides around and, with me still to show Tiva and one of Jans dogs in for best of BOS and BV (it won BV), I ended up riding home with Brian and Jerri and Tiva and Jans dog!

As for Tiva, she really showed well but we didn't get placed. Her critique was fairly ok and she was rated V. Good. I did go home with the best dog, but I wish everyone else knew it!

We got back to Jans and, once again, she had dinner ready for us. The two dogs had gone to the vet and were blood tested and stitched and sent home. After sharing a couple bottles of wine and (I sincerely hope NOT) boring everyone with chiropractic and health chat, I headed to my bed.

I woke with a headache, due (I am sure) to the long, rushed, stressful, day on Saturday, and the sunburn I acquired. I slept in until called for my breadfast. After a couple aspirin and a lovely omelette, I felt better and, along with everyone else, pitched in to help get food etc ready for the BBQ in the afternoon.

There was tons of food and desserts. Chris was grill meister, ta very much! Jans food was supurb: coleslaw, potato salad, kebabs, chicken, ham-, lamb- and even ostrich-burgers...wonderful. I made my special carrot cake, everyone seemed to like it, Yeah.

It was a gorgeous day (again) and folks came and went through the day. Tiva spent the whole day loose in the paddock and the yard, playing with all the different dogs and puppies that came for a visit, it was lovely to see her playing and fun to see her cousins and aunties, not to mention her siblings.

With the intention of leaving at 6, I duly said my good-bys. A half hour later, I started on my second round of good-bys. On the way out the gate, which Jan opened, I was chatting with her and ended up going back to get a bag of dogfood from her! At which point it was 7.45! Yikes. Then I ended up staying another 1/2 hour as Carol was on her way with her new, imported, American Quarter Horse...which, of course, I wanted to see! So, I finally got on the road at 8.30.

I got home, exhausted, at 4 a.m. I had to stop at the services past Penrith and lay down in the back seat for a while and then went to the pumps and filled up. My gas light had come on way before Kendall and I couldn't find a station anywhere! I was actually starting to think that I would have to get a hotel room, as I didn't want to completely run out of diesel, that's is really bad for a diesel, innit? But all was well and I filled up and pushed on. I got home at 4 and was asleep by 4.07. Up at 11 and working for 1. Now it's 10.15 and I need toothpicks to hold my eyes open, so I'll say goodnight.

And a huge THANK YOU to Jan and all her lovely guests, who made the weekend wonderful!

Until next time, when I should have some pics to post,

Bridgit