Plus a show on Sunday

Barney admiring the fabulous view.

We have just enjoyed another very enjoyable weekend in the Lake District, although it is Barney's first time, as the others were with Jessie. Peter's show was the reason, or should that be the excuse to go, and a very enjoyable show it turned out to be.

Barney asking me if I have finished taking the photograph.

Through email I have recently made contact with a very nice lady who lives in the South of the Lake District. She has a Greyhound called Friday, which appeared in her garden about a year ago, as I found out when we met. Living locally she knows the area; the best dog walks etc.

Barney taking an interest in the roaming sheep.

Taking my time loading, and trying not to forget anything, we left home mid-morning on Friday, and had a pleasant trip, travelling across the Yorkshire moors to Kendal, rather than the more direct route to the North of the lakes. I was fortunate to have taken a holiday there a few years ago, and know the central district quite well. Travelling North from Windermere quickly brings you to the pleasant small town of Ambleside. Heading west from Ambleside, the road forks right through what is arguably the nicest, and most stunning valley in England. I remembered seeing the Greater Langdale campsite from my last holiday, and headed for this. A friendly welcome saw us with a place for the night. I was camping in the back of my small van, and lack of a tent, plus a dog is not acceptable at all campsites. This site also has a good shop and free shower and toilet facilities.....well worth the �6.50 nightly fee. About half a mile away are 2 pubs close together, both serving excellent meals, at affordable prices. I took the car, as somewhere for Barney to stay, however they allow dogs into the one I visited, so if there is a next time, I will be able to walk, and enjoy a drink as well.

Barney enjoying the view of Langdale valley.

One of the joys of this valley is the lack of communication of mobile phones. Unfortunately for me, I needed to contact Jenny to inform her of my plans, as we had made a preliminary arrangement to meet either Friday evening, or Saturday morning. I was foiled by modern technology, as neither my mobile, nor the payphone would let me be heard, when contact was finally made. (Was this some dastardly plot to silence me, I wondered)?

Barney still enjoying the wonderful view.

Back at the campsite, I settled down comfortably in the back of my small van, with the glorious view of the mountains through the window. The following morning, we awoke early, after a restful night sleep, and relaxed until the campsite came to life. After re-packing my sleeping bag etc. and another pleasant shower, I left refreshed to head to Ambleside. I carried on through the valley, slightly farther, but I was not going to throw away the chance to view this lovely valley again. Heading down the narrow, single track road. I stopped to take some photos in the same place I had with Jessie and, positioning Barney onto suitable rocks, he posed perfectly, showing no interest in the roaming sheep.

Barney and Friday on our walk on the Saturday.

A little further I stopped again, finding another gorgeous view. I placed Barney on another small rocky hillock for a photo; little did I know a sheep was hiding behind, which ran away. Next could have been a serious incident, as he chased after it down the road. Thankfully neither car, nor irate farmer was over the blind crest and only 30 seconds or so, which seemed like years to me, he reappeared; with no sign of a dead sheep in his mouth :). I replaced him on the rock, after a reprimand, which I'm sure did no good, and finished the photographing. So if they are a little blurred and shaky when you get to see them, you will know the reason why.

The campsite in Greater Langdale. Barney is unseen in the shadow at the front.

Kicking myself for having taught him sheep chasing, when he was fairly good with stock, we set off for Ambleside. I managed to contact Jenny, and we arranged to meet at a hotel she knows, close to the walk. This proved to be an ideal meeting place, easy to find, on the edge of the lake with a small marina. I just pulled up when she rang to say she had been slightly delayed. Excellent timing, she rang just as the wheels stopped turning as I parked. After a short walk, I went into the hotel for a much-needed cup of tea. Collecting Barney from the van, I had a walk along the lake, looking at the boats, and chatted with a couple just leaving theirs. Barney got on well with their dog, a small Staffy, or Staffy X.

Greater Langdale campsite, the other direction.

I returned to the car park to find Jenny & Friday had just arrived. After introducing ourselves, we quickly set off for the walk, a short drive away. A wonderful time was had by all, and the time flew by, surprising us all when we returned almost 2 1/2 hours later. Jenny had to leave for work commitments, and we made arrangements for the show the next day. I decided to head for the show venue, so after a short rest, and a drink, we headed North. I had no specific directions, but found the campsite where the show was to be held with only a small detour, and no swearing. Barney must have been relieved. I was told everyone was up where the show was to be held. I walked up, to find obedience and agility taking place. I did not know it was a 2-day event, but it didn't matter anyway. I decided to do an obedience round anyway.

Barney at Langdale campsite.

Knowing I have to work Barney early to get any result, I was not expecting much at the end of the day, with him being awake since 6am, having had a 2 1/2 hour strenuous mountain (well large hill) walk, and a longish drive. He had only had a 20-minute sleep when we returned to our cars after the walk. Music started as I started my round.....I couldn't hear the steward/judge so abandoned it. Next they held the stays, and I could do my round afterwards. Liz came over and asked me if I would do my obedience for the team. This included a retrieve, but I said yes of course. I was to do a 1/2 minute sit, but moving up a class extended this to a minute; not a long time, unless you are a tired Lurcher. With 10 seconds or so left Barney lay down. Obviously he did not break the downstay; would have done an hour I think.

I did my obedience round which did not go very well of course, but I have to say on the offlead heelwork he showed a little of his best, so at least letting people see what he is capable of. He did no retrieve at all; no surprise there. When the results were announced a little later I was surprised to learn we were not the worst, coming 3rd out of 5. The other team were a dog training club, mainly of Collies, so the CMC were unsurprisingly thrashed, and at least it had not been my poor round that had caused us to lose.

I inquired of a suitable pub for a meal, and was told of one a few miles away. After freshening up with a wash, I went and had as good a pint, and meal as I've had, in the aptly named Greyhound. Getting back I found the 'games' just starting. Good fun for the next hour or so was had by all the little group of campers. Another restful night saw us refreshed for the day's activities and the show. Liz and Jim kindly provided a cup of tea, and egg and toast breakfast, and we enjoyed a pleasant chat, as I don't often see them now. I have to say Barney behaved beautifully for the whole of our time there. He stayed around me, did not go to other dogs or people to be a nuisance and came back to me when called; was a joy to have.

I offered to take the booking in book up to Peter, who was not there when I got to the showsite. Booking in was to be 10 'til 12 I was told. A little after 10 I returned to find a disorganized Peter. He had lost his glasses, the PA refused to work, and his staff had deserted. I offered to help with the booking, and recruited a couple of our members who had recently done a show and knew what to do. I enjoy this, as it is a good opportunity to meet the people attending. Last year his show was the only one in the area. The FMD epidemic had caused most to be cancelled, and so everyone came. Not expecting as many this year, I was still a little concerned I would cope to book everyone in before the show started. All went well however and we booked nearly 100 people in, although a few were late coming, as to difficulty with finding the venue; Peter had delayed the start by 1/2 hour at my suggestion.

With still no PA the show started, and the helpers then turned their attention to the sound system, and managed to get it working. A simple, but elusive button had not been pressed. Peter had borrowed some glasses, but they were not the correct strength, so he still had trouble seeing. As the show got underway I saw no one was running the fastest recall, so took the opportunity, as this can be a real fun event. Jenny had rang my mobile, once again getting her timing spot on, as we had a gap in booking. She said she would be a little late due to traffic congestion, so found me having a great time at the recall when she arrived. I had asked a lively chap with the Wigan dog club to help. He had a stopwatch with him and knew what to do. The first classes were held in 2 rings, one for pedigrees and one for the crossbreeds, the SCAMPS heat. I don't enter this, having qualified for the finals at the national show.

Previous winners are not barred from entering, if a dog wins that has already qualified for SCAMPS, the runner up takes the place for that heat. However, in the unlikely event of Barney being chosen to win his heat of over 18-inch dogs, the dog that came second would have been denied a heat win, and his chance of being picked in the last 4 for SCAMPS.

Everyone had taken a turn at recall, and people were getting a little tired, so I suggested a break. As it turned out, we did not run it anymore, but it made some money, and everyone had a lot of fun.

The divider was taken out to turn the 2 rings into one large one, and the novelty classes started. I had entered Barney into 4 classes, and went into the first, appealing eyes. Now having booked everyone in, I knew this was a large class, with 30 to 40 dogs, and although Barney has interesting eyes, and has won several times before, I was genuinely very surprised to be awarded another first. Jenny had got a place, so everything was going really well. Barney was not picked again, but the judge did an excellent job, fairly handing out the places. I was pleased to be able to enter for the best in show however, as this was the only opportunity to show Barney properly.

So the show ended, with everyone appearing to having had an enjoyable day, and Peter was relieved for everything to have run smoothly in the end. Barney had won a first, and got 1/3rd out of 4 in fastest recall. Not many Lurcher types (fast and sleek) took part, but he was only 100th of a second slower than Friday, who surprised everyone by putting up a spirited time, running out of the gap at the end of the run, before finally being captured, much to the amusement of all.

I had said goodbye to Jenny & Friday, our new friends towards the end of the show, but was undecided whether to stay overnight after a trip to a recommended local beach, or come home. After a little chatting, I decided to do the latter, the deciding factor being the lighter Sunday evening traffic would make the 200 mile trip easier, plus hot weather was forecast for the next day. This proved to be a good decision, I do get a few of them correct :). An easy journey, punctuated by stopping at a pub for a cup of tea and a meal, ended an excellent weekend.