Pyatshaw Papillons et al.

The visit.

2011-08-07T15:00:00.002+01:00

My daughter drove up the almost 500 miles from Bracknell in Berkshire on her own with the 3 children. Husband was far too busy with his lorry to take holidays.
I haven't seen these grandchildren for a whole year and how they had grown up! Little Megan, now 2 1/2 now chatters away non stop in an English accent and tears about, copying everything her older brother and sister do.
After a very busy week here they left this morning at 7.45 for the long drive home.
The photos were taken on the day they arrived.

2011-08-07T14:53:00.004+01:00

Most children seem to love horses (and foals).

Little Megan offers her bunch of roadside grass and clover in an attempt to lure the ponies to the dykeside.

Jamie (7) and "Flora".

Charley (4)

Megan (2) enjoys climbing on the frame in the park.

3 more Leeds photos.

2011-07-26T23:13:00.002+01:00

Somehow I missed out 2 of these photos and the other WAS on the blog but mysteriously vanished. I probably pressed some button or other by mistake!

2011-07-26T23:08:00.002+01:00

The judge, Ruth Johnston, points out the route to the first exhibitor of the day, Ann Richardson with her Minor Puppy dog, Amicae Shine on Belvane.

!st Novice dog--Lafford Ishall Fly to Farleysbane.

2nd in Open Dog--Ch. Rozamie Moulin Rouge.(Oops, sorry for the earlier mistake!)

Leeds Championship Show 2011-Bitch photos.

2011-07-26T16:41:00.002+01:00

Some of these classes are missing from the photos as I was either preparing my dogs or participating in these classes. Also I posted them in 2 lots and they should have started with the puppy classes!...Sorry.

2011-07-26T16:15:00.003+01:00

Post Graduate bitch class

1st PGB--Powdermill Look Timelessly

2nd PGB--Beausher Coquelicot du Nord at Cantoverde.

Part of Limit bitch class.

Another part of Limit Bitch class.

Close inspection of Papplewick Pretty in Pink at Adinaken (the eventual winner, on the left) and Papplewick Paper Moon at Jeminai eventually placed 5th,by the judge.

2nd in the Limit bitch class and Reserve Bitch CC winner was Rozamie Fleur de Lys on the right.

Challenge for Best of Breed with Kazim Matador, Dog CC winner on the left and Bitch CC winner, Papplewick Pretty in Pink at Adinaken. Kazim Matador won Best of Breed. His first CC and BOB!This was the bitch's 3rd CC and she is now a champion, subject to KC confirmation.

Challenge for Best Puppy --Sarasha Hey Jude (dog) on left and the winner, Ablazzor Wild Child at Kirkchase.

The new champion, Pippa, on her owner's (Kathy Smith) knee at the end of judging.

2011-07-26T16:02:00.002+01:00

1st Minor Puppy bitch--Temelora Alicia.

1st to 3rd(from right to left) Minor Puppy bitch.

Still no face view of the winner!

Puppy Bitch class.

1-5 in Puppy bitch (from left to right, this time!)

1st Puppy bitch--Ablazzor Wild Child at Kirkchase.

Leeds Championship Dog Show.

2011-07-26T11:49:00.003+01:00

Again we were lucky with the weather. The sun shone, perhaps a bit too strongly for the dogs (and some people!) at times but wonderful to be able to sit outside without being wrapped up against a chilly wind. The bitch photos will follow but I was showing in a couple of classes so no photos of them, obviously.

2011-07-25T21:21:00.003+01:00

Judging of the Minor Puppy dog class.

Yearling Dog.

Part of Limit Dog class.

!st part of Open Dog class..

..and 2nd part of Open Dog class.

Winner of Open Dog--Eng. and Fin. Ch Siljans Ragge JR Connection at Tussalud. (Imp.)

2011-07-25T21:16:00.005+01:00

1st Minor Puppy dog and best dog puppy--Sarasha Hey Jude.

Puppy Dog--1st Ringlands Bracken at Blackpark: 2nd Flutterbye Sable Sensation (rt.)

Yearling Dog winner--Lafford Fly to Elfuago.

Post Graduate Dog winner--Wendwoods Heavenly Star.

2nd PG dog--Papplewick Pinball Wizard to Vlinder.

2011-07-25T21:13:00.002+01:00

Limit Dog winner, Dog Challenge Certificate and Best of Breed--Kazim Matador.

..again

..and again, on the move.

1st- Junior Dog and Reserve Dog Challenge Certificate - Gleniren Nikolia Mania Sunshoo.
(Apologies for earlier mistake)

..and on the move.

A sunny dog show at Kelso.

2011-07-22T20:30:00.004+01:00

Sometimes the sun DOES shine in Scotland. This was one of those days when it shone throughout the country. The huge golfing umbrellas, always carried in the car, were needed today for shade. Sometimes we wish we could have a bit more of this weather then organising an outdoor event would be a bit easier. Most outdoor shows provide "wet weather" accommodation and not without good cause. Some shows press ahead with none but this can have a serious effect on the attendance at future shows if it turns out cold, wet and miserable! They could be lucky however, as was the case today with a show in Aberdeen.
This turned out to be a very good choice of show for me that day as Swallow (Meerwings The Swallow Tale by Pyatshaw, photo in the header) ended up by winning Reserve Best in Show. The winner was an English pointer.

2011-07-22T20:23:00.002+01:00

Looking from the showfield across the river, hidden by the hedge, towards a hotel and the top part of Kelso abbey among the trees.

It was so hot that the dogs (and some people) had to have shade between classes. These fishing tents were very popular.

If only it were always like this!

Some of the papillon judging.

The Clydesdale foal--4 months on.

2011-07-20T15:47:00.002+01:00

Growing up with mum, Amy and "aunt" Rose.

Even living in a field of lush grass, the grass on the other side of the gate is always greener!

Hello again!

2011-07-19T16:29:00.002+01:00

After an absence of a few months I've taken up blogging again. A few things have happened and I'll attempt to catch up.
The following photos are of the little 3/4 bred Arab foal which appeared in the pony paddock towards the end of June. The other 1/4 is Welsh Sec. B.
Mother is 17 years old and this is her first foal. How lucky is her owner.?........a perfect little filly which is expected to remain this beautiful, bright chestnut colour. The mare has always been very fit and healthy, being used for endurance riding and is a winner over 160k in 2 days.

2011-07-19T16:25:00.002+01:00

Foal aged 3 days, still sticks close to mum.

Now aged just over 2 weeks and now venturing farther from mum.

Her beautiful Arab type head.

Doing a giraffe impersonation.

A healthy Clydesdale foal.

2011-04-15T23:01:00.002+01:00

After last years disastrous foaling when my brother lost both the mare and foal to grass sickness, this year's foal is a healthy filly. Here she is 1 day old.

Mother and daughter doing well.

2011-04-15T22:59:00.001+01:00

Now aged 2 weeks and living out. She has been well handled since birth and very tame.

Baby "Findatie Anna" with mum, Amy, and friend Rosie.

Crufts 2011

2011-04-15T22:48:00.001+01:00

Crufts 2011 seems a long way away now but today a friend, Susan Lanson of Cantoverde Papillons, sent me this photo of me with my two exhibits at this year's show. Swallow (right) was unplaced but Maisie was placed first in the Junior bitch class of 15. She was totally unfazed by the whole experience and was her usual bouncy self.

The judge was Michael Qinney.

Tass--2002-2011.

2011-04-04T15:04:00.004+01:00

Ch. Pyatshaw Silver Tassie (Tass) 31/08/02--8/03/11.

She is greatly missed.

She was the friendliest of dogs and I was keen to breed a pup from her after she became a champion but she turned out to be a hopeless mum, preferring, I think, to be a career girl. It took four days after whelping for her to look at or touch her two pups and never did clean the back ends! However, her good nature was passed on to her offspring, George and Wee Geoffie!

This photo was taken last year at the back of our house.

Problems with photos.

2011-04-01T17:48:00.002+01:00

I've published the previous post twice now and it's still not right! The photo is there to start with then disappears .......forever, it would seem. I have one or two new posts in mind (after a lengthy silence) but I think I'll wait a bit and see if the problem with the photos is resolved.

The things I see when walking the dogs!

2011-02-21T19:07:00.002Z

A couple of minutes after leaving the house with three of the dogs and as I was approaching the main road out of the village two young men, one carrying what appeared to be a tray covered by a jacket, crossed the bottom of the road I was on and ran along the pavement from the direction of the newsagent. I did wonder why they were running and turning round to look back in my direction. Were they workmen, sent by their colleagues, to buy some hot food for lunch and they didn't want it to get cold?....No, no hot food available in either of the shops. Could that tray have been the money drawer from the newsagent's till and they were thieves? I kept watching them and they me, then they turned into a street and were hidden by a high wall. A car reversed out and then went back in then almost immediately drove out and sped off out of the village. I know that the newsagent is a frail, elderly lady and looked towards her shop but there was no sign of any activity around the door, so I continued my walk.
Coming back I saw a police car and decided to pass the shop door round the corner. The place was awash with the constabulary so I offered my information. The money drawer had been taken from the shop but the old lady, although understandably shaken, was unhurt.
A policeman came to the house for my statement of events and there were the usual questions eg...name, address, date of birth and mother's maiden name before he started on my story. Any outstanding features? No....why don't thieves have huge heads with one eye on the back and three legs? Height?...not very tall, not very small, just average! What colour was the car? that was easy but what make?...more difficult for me. Did it have anything unusual about its wheel trims? Well from a distance of 200 yards and my not too sharp eyesight nowadays I couldn't say.
I hope they manage to catch them after traumatising the old lady--I don't suppose they could have made off with much money but then again she did stock cigarettes and they are extremely pricey and someone not too far from me is a regular shopper for that commodity along with many other villagers.

Scottish Open Show Dog of the Year 2010

2011-02-17T19:34:00.002Z

No, we didn't win, BUT, we came second! The Scottish Kennel Club organises a competition to encourage people to enter the Open shows and points are awarded for 1st to 3rd in every class entered, for Group placings and, of course for Best in Show.
Mo had won quite a few Best of Breed awards in 2o10 so I totted up his points and sent off his form. A short time later we received a letter inviting us to the competition at the beginning of February. It took the form of a knock-out match, so, of course, there was an element of luck involved.
The winner was the massive, magnificent, black Newfoundland, Ch. Scotiabear Talk of the Town at Rathmil and Reserve Best in Match was my Mo,Pyatshaw Ravel, pictured in the header photo.

Some Utility Group Dogs from Manchester Ch. Show

2011-01-25T16:52:00.003Z

We were in no hurry to leave the show last Friday as we had accommodation booked for a second night, not too far from the showground and so we watched the judging of the Utility Group after the completion of the Toy Group.

1st..............Standard Poodle

2nd.............Shar Pei

3rd .............French Bulldog

4th...............Chow Chow.

Below are a selection of dogs and faces from this group.

2011-01-25T16:49:00.002Z

French Bulldog

German Spitz (Mittel)(left) and German Spitz (Klein)(right)

Shar Pei

Standard Poodle

2011-01-25T16:44:00.002Z

Japanese Akita Inu.

English Bulldog.

bored Bulldog!

Dalmation

2011-01-25T16:42:00.002Z

Dalmation

French Bulldog

2011-01-25T16:38:00.001Z

Boston Terrier

Japanese Akita Inu

poor photo of (left) Canaan Dog and (right) Chow Chow

English Bulldog.

A few photos of the Toy Group at Manchester Ch. Show.

2011-01-24T16:36:00.003Z

The lighting was very poor in the hall in which the papillons were judged. Some people, more expert than me, managed to get some decent pictures but I had none. However in the main hall the lighting was much better and here are a few of the dogs.

2011-01-24T16:20:00.002Z

The Chinese Crested.

The final line-up

Group 1...the Bichon Frise.

Group 2 ...the Maltese

Group 3...the Japanese Chin

Group4... the Griffon Bruxellois

2011-01-24T16:14:00.002Z

The winner of the Toy Group, the Bichon.

..and his front view.

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

The Maltese strutting his stuff.

2011-01-24T16:08:00.002Z

The judge, Alan Bendelow, inspects the dogs before assessing each individually on the table and the floor.

The Maltese, finally placed 2nd in the Toy Group.

The Papillon, Burghbridge U R Solid Gold Skyvana.

The Bolognese.

An eye for the birds!

2011-01-22T20:08:00.003Z

We were travelling home after a couple of days away at Manchester Championship dog show and stopped off for a coffee break at our favourite motorway services in Cumbria on the M6. Our table in the cafe overlooked the ice-covered pond and a small flock of ducks flew in to land on the ice with hilarious results. They skidded along on their backsides, crashing into each other and seemed a bit mystified by this strange surface, although they should be well aquainted with it this winter!

2011-01-22T20:05:00.002Z

The cafe with its frozen pond.

The view south.

2011-01-22T20:03:00.001Z

The flock of ducks back again on the (frozen) grass looking for food from the customers.

The heron, who also flew in, was popular with the photographers as usually they are much shyer creatures and don't approach humans.

The thaw.

2011-01-18T10:00:00.002Z

Saturday morning we left home about 6am heading for Inverurie, north west of Aberdeen. There was still plenty snow around in our area but a slight drizzle was falling. During the day the rain became heavier and the temperature rose a few degrees above zero C. The thaw was underway. When we reached home about 5pm we had had to drive through long, very flooded stretches of road, mainly approaching and in our village. Melt water was streaming off the hill and pouring across the road and when we reached the house we had a technicolour back garden once more...a welcome change from the 6 weeks of monochrome!

The photo, above, shows the normally,little burn that flows down through the den. It had turned into a raging, chocolate torrent, tearing up parts of the newly constructed paths. Locally there has been quite a bit of flooding with several rivers bursting their banks but still not quite on the scale of what is taking place in eastern Australia..........thank goodness!

More, again!

2011-01-10T16:53:00.002Z

These were the scenes that greeted us on Saturday morning. This is seriously not our normal winter---or is it? The snow that fell at the end of November is still with us, although most other parts of the country are clear and another 7 inches fell at the weekend. The frost has been continuous and it now seems almost warm if the temperature climbs to zero (centigrade). What it has proved, yet again, is that anything, weatherwise, can happen in Britain! It's an ill wind...etc as the price of plastic snow shovels and bags of rock salt have rocketed and now both commodities are scarce as hen's teeth in some parts. I refuse to pay £20+ for a piece of plastic and a wooden pole. Way back at the start of the snow they cost a fraction of this. Here Chic has managed to borrow a plastic shovel in the absence of its usual wielder!...and I don't remember him ever wearing gloves!

Today there has been a bit of a thaw so we'll keep our fingers crossed that things improve for the weekend when we hope to drive north of Aberdeen.

2011--Beginnings.

2011-01-02T17:25:00.002Z

Still the snow lingers in our area, although it has gone from other parts of the country. Here the daily temperature continues to hover around zero and the snow, which has sunk a bit, has now turned into what resembles icebergs, although most roads are now clear, and our back garden looks like an icefield. We dare not venture out for walks as the sloping paths here are a death trap for the elderly (viz. me) and the not so elderly alike. Where the snow was shovelled into piles it is now completely solid and will require a very good thaw to melt it. On the up-side, there has been no flooding!
I have been to no dog shows since November and will probably require retraining for next week end when there is a small one held locally!

Goodbye to 2010!

2010-12-31T17:13:00.001Z

Christmas Day 2010

2010-12-27T15:37:00.003Z

Freezing fog enveloped the village, giving an eerie atmosphere, as we drove out on our way to Musselburgh for the Christmas meal.

Leaving the village.

A few miles south on the motorway we left the fog and were bathed in bright sunshine.

In this view over Loch Leven (hidden by the trees), with Benarty in the background, a low mist hangs over the water.

Beauty of ice crystals.

2010-12-27T15:26:00.003Z

Due to the ongoing severe frost there has been a build up of ice crystals on the snow and they sparkle spectacularly in the sunlight or under the street light.

In the bottom right photograph it looks as if I'd spread the picnic table (yes, it is still outside!) with a lace tablecloth.

The christening!

2010-12-22T17:19:00.002Z

Part of the den walk.

Rosehips in deep freeze.

Frost crystals on deadhead of vegetation.

Ice forming on the overhanging twigs at the little rapids.

Today I took Mo and the gaiters up the den on what must have been one of the coldest, sunniest days of the year. The gaiters were very successful and although I slithered and slid along the path through a layer of very powdery, frosted snow on top of the previous deep, frozen, icy layer my jeans remained dry under them, with no snow into my boots either. I just hope the fashion police weren't patrolling that particular area this afternoon.

.This winter's must-have fashion accessories.

2010-12-21T20:26:00.003Z

Side view

Unzipped and opened out

Front view when worn, giving a rather smart ankle appearance!

Is this the correct way to wear this item?

In the current British Ice Age, with no sign of the two feet of snow melting and paths and roadways inches thick in ice I have been sent a pair of gaiters, as worn by all serious hill walkers, so that I can venture outside--even to the top of the garden to feed the birds is a major undertaking, ploughing through the deep powdery snow. The wellies I have abandoned as they are really too short to venture "off-piste" and they are also very slippery on ice. My boots are best but the problem was trying to keep my jeans dry and waterproof trousers collected snow underneath up over my ankles. These gaiters are the answer but my problem was with how to fit them--did the opening go to the front of my leg or the back? I tried both ways but discovered I needed to be a contortionist to fasten the zip at the back so I've settled for the front position. Strangely enough I saw a rather smart lady, in the shopping centre in Perth, wearing a pair with the fastening at the back--must be a different model!

Tomorrow I might venture down into the den with Mo, who hasn't had a walk for what seems like weeks....can't wait to test-drive these things!

Homemade Bread!

2010-12-06T20:11:00.002Z

Not my most successful culinary attempt!

I was a bit annoyed when my husband went down to the village shop and came home with a loaf of bread. "I'll show him!" I said to myself and gathered all my ingredients, out of date and otherwise, and set about making a loaf in my machine. I read and re-read the instructions but the selection chart was a bit confusing (to me in my dotage) but nevertheless I got all the ingredients into the tin in the correct order, as it instructed, selected the type and size of loaf to be baked and switched on. There were fairly lengthy periods of silence followed by whirring then more silence. Eventually a delectable (?) smell pervaded the premises and I peeked in the viewing window. It was rising nicely.

Now I don't know if it was my opening the lid to push one of the paddles down properly as it was underway, as it wasn't turning to knead the dough or the fact that I had been a bit confused about the timing but if you look at the photograph (and it needs no enlarging) you'll see that it all turned out a bit of a failure. It wouldn't come out of the tin, not even with the recommended tapping, and had to be prised out, bit by bit with a plastic fish slice....and just why has it turned into soggy,brown bread when I used strong WHITE flour?

Once I buy new dried yeast and proper milk powder and not Coffeemate I shall try again. I don't give up that easily.

To-morrow the birds in this area will be flying low.

More snow photos.

2010-12-05T19:09:00.002Z

Main Street.

Overhang with icicles.

Another view of Main Street with heaps of packed snow from the road apparently left to thaw on the pavement after the council scraped the roadway.

Main Street going down to join the main road leading to Perth.

Self sufficiency?

2010-12-04T16:28:00.002Z

After 2 nights of extremely low temperatures and still no way out (or rather, back in) for ordinary cars, to the top part of the village I decided to dig out my bread making machine from the attic and have a go at making our own loaves. Years ago I was told, "Best leave that to the experts" but that memory had faded and I set about retrieving all the bits and bobs that go with this modern contraption, one of which was the slim manual which came with it. My enthusiasm was somewhat dampened when I discovered that my store cupboard lacked some essential ingredients for even a plain loaf. Yesterday I had acquired the "strong" flour but my dried yeast was several years out of date (should I pretend I didn't see "b.b.-05:03?)

I slithered my way down to the village shop but was unsurprised to find they didn't stock the yeast or dried skim milk powder which the recipe required. I didn't want incorrect ingredients to be the cause of my (probably) yeasty tasting, sunken loaf!

Oh well, looks like we'll have to wait for Spring (or a sudden thaw) before we can savour this culinary delight.

How deep is this snow?

2010-12-02T16:29:00.002Z

Mo trying to reach the solid ground.

St Andrews day in Abernethy.

2010-11-30T16:50:00.002Z

Last year after the severe snowstorm the village was cut off for almost two weeks. We were the village the council forgot. Today, one of the villagers brought in his own diggers , one a mini type, and is still busy clearing pavements and trying to make the narrow, steep streets more accessible.

It could have been a lot worse. We've had none of the winds that were forecast so there has been no drifting.

November snow.

2010-11-28T15:06:00.007Z

It's still a bit early for us to be having so much snow, although much of north east Scotland and North east England have had substantial falls for a week now. This morning I was awakened by a very loud banging (I thought it was a bomb!) and a light flashing through a chink in the curtains. It continued at intervals for several hours and turned out to be a thunderstorm...in a snowstorm and must have been overhead, going by the noise....extremely bizarre.

I had been contemplating going to a show at Lanark today but did know that the forecast was for snow. It is almost as deep, but not quite ....YET...as last year., and it is snowing very heavily again.......Maybe we will get a sudden thaw! (I can dream).

2010-11-28T15:06:00.005Z

2010-11-28T14:55:00.002Z

Our back garden before daylight this morning.

Most of the dogs loved it, especially the two young ones.

It snowed heavily for a good few hours so all thoughts of going anywhere in the car (this is a neighbour's) were soon discarded.

In the afternoon it faired up for a time and the old "wartime spirit" came alive and our short cul-de-sac was cleared.....but are the other roads in the village, especially the brae? Oh no, it's snowing again!

2010-11-28T14:49:00.002Z

Roley and Maisie clocked up a few miles with their racing around in the snow, while it was falling.

..although Roley was not too happy about this snowball which had collected on his foreleg.

This was the back garden during a break in the snow.

Spencer preferred to curl up on the sofa and ignore the weather.

Who needs a fancy bed?

2010-11-24T16:52:00.002Z

What could be better than an elevated position in the sun for a wee snooze out of the way of those two annoying younger siblings?

Just perfect....

..for me and my shadow!

A bit of decorating.

2010-11-17T20:38:00.002Z

I never did like the colour of the wallpaper in the kitchen when we moved to this house over 5 years ago but I have only now got down to changing things. It had been newly decorated and we don't change things till they require changing. Dogs had seen to this with little chewed bits on the skirting boards and little nibbles at the wallpaper. Some time ago I stuck vinyl flooring strips on the bottom part of the walls so no chewing there now and topped them with a narrow wooden moulding but that red/ pinkish paper up above was fading in the sunlight. (sometimes the sun shines here!) It had to go...well, had to be covered up.

I started gloss painting the wooden skirtings and door surrounds yesterday and then had to protect the parts covered, from the dogs, by opening out the puppy pen. It is taking forever to become completely dry. You can see our trusty 45 year old wooden step ladders with their record of all the colours of paint we have used over the years. I may say, I look pretty much like they do at the end of the day. I start off using gloves but they are soon discarded and I wish I had worn an old shirt over my jumper!

Swallow takes refuge beside the radiator.

The first coat of emulsion has been applied and the place looks brighter already. Some of my sundry equipment covers the kitchen table!

Luckily, one complete wall has been tiled and I am not about to change these, even although they are a dark burgundy colour so nothing needs painted there.

Second coat tomorrow then put things back on the wall and re-hang the clock.

The upgraded path on a frosty day.

2010-11-15T16:55:00.004Z

For over a week now the path, a few yards from our front door, has been cordoned off and a notice displayed (quickly uprooted by the local hoodlums) stating it was to be improved, making it much less muddy in places, and would be closed off while workmen were there. It was a bit inconvenient for me as this is my route to whichever walk I would be taking. However, it has all been worthwhile with much better underfoot conditions and hopefully will bring to an end my sliding all my length on my back on the really steep parts. I must have proved, several times, that I do not have brittle bones! On the downside (excuse the pun), on a purely selfish note, it will probably prove to be a Mecca for the young village off-road bikers, with its steep braes and corners.

There used to be a really muddy dip here.

The "new" path stops at the approach to the far side of the little bridge over the little rapids/waterfall.

The burn above the bridge.

2010-11-15T16:52:00.003Z

The path leads up the side of this field with a great view over Abernethy, especially on a day like today.

The wicket gate into the field.

Roley and the frosted grass.

Mo, Maisie and Roley head back into the wood.

2010-11-15T16:40:00.002Z

The two young 'uns always race across this bridge.

The path by the burn.

Time to drop by for a drink!

..before heading home.

Happiness is.....................

2010-10-28T15:46:00.002+01:00

Puddles

Mud

and a papillon.

Now I just need to hitch up my jeans!

My Skywatch Friday photograph.

2010-10-21T17:09:00.004+01:00

Like ripples in the sand!

(Perthshire, Scotland)

To see more "sky" photographs visit Skywatch Friday.

Wild autumn fruits.

2010-10-21T14:20:00.002+01:00

This little robin, always taken here as a symbol of winter, sits surrounded by an, as yet, plentiful supply of food.

Top, rosehips (left) and elderberries.

Bottom, brambles (left) and hawthorn berries.

My World--St Andrews for sea, history and learning

2010-10-19T19:52:00.007+01:00

Although I was brought up within an hour's drive from St Andrews, we rarely visited. We didn't do seaside visits in those days. But I did know there was a beach there. In fact I have only been there four times in my life. The other thing I knew was that there was a famous university.
Last week-end we revisited the town, still almost the same distance from where I now live. I could have spent more time wandering among the old buildings and exploring the coastline and plan to return pretty soon.
It is of course world renowned for its links golf course and is one of the venues for "The Open", this year being one of these years.
To see places, all over the world, familiar to other bloggers click here.

2010-10-19T19:50:00.002+01:00

Top left-the extensive stretch of beach, backed by dunes; top right-the cliffs below the town;

bottom left-the Sea Life Centre; bottom right- the small beach below the cliffs beside the Castle.

Some of the colleges of the university, which dates back to the mid fifteenth century.

Top left-one of the streets lined with old, stone town houses; top right- the archway at the port at the east end of the town; middle left- an old archway leading to a courtyard; middle right- the ruins of the cathedral; bottom left-the ruins of the Bishop's Castle; bottom right-detailed stone carving above the entrance to the Castle.

Top and bottom left- the golf course; top right- the well known view behind the last hole of the Old Course; bottom right-(click to enlarge to read the notice) part of the display in one of the many golf shops. I don't think we can afford to shop there.

Tina (Meerwings Painted Lady)

2010-10-18T15:42:00.002+01:00

Tina, whom I own in partnership with her breeder (my friend Carole), came to live with me just under 3 years ago. She is the friendliest, best natured papillon I have known but rarely do I have a photo of her as she walks closely behind me most of the time we are out. She is the mother of Swallow and Maisie, both of whom have done well in showing.

Lucky omens.

2010-10-17T15:38:00.002+01:00

Today I found these three 4- leaved clovers, all growing from the same plant...honest...no joke this time!

Could this mean I am going to be VERY lucky at my next dog shows...or, even better,......................WIN THE LOTTERY (3 times over!!!)?

A dangerous weapon?

2010-10-16T17:28:00.004+01:00

In my youth this was chestnut time at school and any self respecting boy had a string of them ready to take on anyone with a rival chestnut. In some parts of UK they are referred to as "conkers" but we called them "chessies". Our farm grew no horse chestnut trees so forays had to be made to other parts to pick up our ammunition, raking around in the fallen leaves. There was much competition for a collection and usually the locals had cleaned up before we arrived.
Nights were spent with a hot knitting needle, poking a hole through the hard nut then threading them on to a long bootlace, knotted at the end.
In the playground two boys would challenge each other and the fight would start, one holding, at arm's length, the string with one of his prize collection dangling on the end. The opponent took careful aim and tried to hit this nut with his particular champion. They took turn about and whoever broke the other's chestnut was the winner and accorded his chestnut the title "bully 1"(if that was his first victory, or "bully 2" if the second and so on. If you broke a "bully 3"(or whatever) you could claim his victories as well....oh, yes, there were rules!
Nowadays many schools outlaw this game and children are forbidden to play as it is deemed too dangerous. I cannot remember many pupils being maimed or killed during this season!
And so now nobody wants my collection and there are chestnuts lying ready for the taking. I still cannot pass them by without picking them up and searching for more. My pockets are bulging everytime I return from a dog walk. Old habits die hard.
P.S........we don't eat horse chestnuts.

2010-10-16T17:23:00.002+01:00

A chestnut lying hidden in the undergrowth under its parent tree.

Enlarge the photo to see large, ripe horse chestnuts, just waiting for a slight breeze to send them to the ground and burst open.

My collection in a crystal fruit bowl on the kitchen table! Does any small boy/girl want them?

Dogs in the stubble field.

2010-10-15T16:19:00.002+01:00

Yesterday I came home through the recently harvested wheat field with Tass, Tina and Maisie.

Here they are enjoying running down the combine tracks in the sunshine.

Pictures from the Charity Clydesdale Show.

2010-10-13T17:04:00.004+01:00

One interested spectator..and one not so interested!

2010-10-13T17:01:00.002+01:00

Yearling Clydesdales being shown.

2 year olds

and fully grown specimens.

There was even a junior handling class.

2010-10-13T16:53:00.004+01:00

In the afternoon there was a display of horse implements, many of which had be relegated to the scrapyard and now rescued and carefully restored by these enthusiasts. This is a single horse grubber (horse hoe).

A plough, pulled by a pair of Cldesdale crosses. Compare this to today's massive 5+ furrow tractor ploughs!

A box cart.(eat your heart out Charlton Heston!)

..and a flat harvest cart.

We had both these types of carts when I was young.

2010-10-13T16:45:00.002+01:00

Brother Ross with Amy pulling a double hopper potato planter.

Niece Alice with Stanley pulling a grass seed spinner.

Niece Shona with Jock pulling the single hopper potato planter..

..and a line up of all the implements on display.

A day at the ranch.

2010-10-11T19:44:00.004+01:00

We heard from one of my brothers that there was to be a Clydesdale horse charity show on Saturday near Inchture, a village not far from Perth. There being no dog show that day for me we set off to have a look. It turned out to be held as a part of a Fun and Open Day at Teen Ranch, a place set up as if in the Wild West which caters for people, mainly youngsters I think (but not sure) interested in riding and pony trekking. I hadn't known of the existence of this place before then!

We paid our entrance money, were given a programme, and parked the car-where I promptly left the printed programme of events-and set off down the track to watch the Clydesdales. We didn't know, as I hadn't yet read the afore-mentioned programme, that there were lots of other things laid on for children..bouncy castle, face painting, archery, pony rides etc. and only later, once back home and reading the printed programme did we notice, along with the welcoming"Howdy!" this rather strange announcement....

"1pm - 4pm FERRETS TO MEET AND PLAY WITH (12)

(apologies, ferrets may not be able to come today)"...!!!!!

I, for one, was quite glad they had other things to do, but what a shame for all those wishing to play with a ferret!

2010-10-11T17:02:00.001+01:00

A view down over the corral with the Clydesdale show field beyond.

mighty intres'ting, in Perth-shire!

More of the big horses later.

An Indian summer?

2010-10-07T22:20:00.003+01:00

We shall have to wait and see but today was as warm as any we had earlier during our summer months. For the past fortnight the central heating had to be switched on and snow had been reported on some of the northern hills. Come to Scotland for a variety of weather in a very short space of time. Some say we can have four seasons in one day and I can vouch for that. No monotony here!

2010-10-07T21:59:00.003+01:00

Signs of autumn are everywhere with lots of berries, leaves changing colour and some trees already pretty bare.
The rosehips are very plentiful this year. I just hope that we're not in for the same hard winter as last year, or is it a result of a very good summer....er, no! (not here anyway)

The oats (top) and wheat have now been combined and the straw either baled into big round bales or chopped behind the combine and scattered and already quite an acreage has been ploughed, sown and there are signs of next year's crops through the ground.

2010-10-07T21:56:00.002+01:00

These photos were taken a few weeks ago before harvesting had taken place. Now we are walking between stubble fields, not a papillon's favourite playground, (especially a male !) as the legs are not long enough to clear the stiff stubble. This track is not used much by farm machinery and so there are very few puddles formed here. After weeks of heavy rain showers there is mud aplenty on those more frequently used. This has therefore been our usual walking route of late.

A stark reminder.

2010-10-05T21:53:00.009+01:00

This morning a blunt reminder of my forthcoming birthday popped through the letter-box. It was from DVLA and more or less said, "Very shortly you will be 70 years old and as of the midnight before the day your current driving licence will be cancelled"..unless I reapply for one soon. I'm beginning to panic, I've had a driving licence since I was 17 and it had given me independence. No more asking for lifts or having to rely on the very infrequent country bus service.
There is a section on the form that asks some very searching questions about my health....OMG!.... luckily nothing about my hearing (what was that you just said?) nor my dodgy knees. No, I haven't had any fits or blackouts (that I can remember!), no brain surgery nor implanted cardiac pacemaker or defibrillator, no SERIOUS problems with memory or periods of confusion (I'm not the person to ask...but would I remember if I had?) and certainly no sleep apnoea syndrome...sometimes I wish I had! On a brighter note, I do not need to supply another mug shot, so maybe they think I haven't aged since the last one AND there is no mention of sending any payment for the new licence but I'll check for any tiny print at the bottom of the page. This has to be a first for any Government form!

My dogs at Belfast Championship Show.

2010-10-02T22:08:00.003+01:00

Roley (Crigaber Rolex)

Maisie (Criagaber Timewatch)

Swallow (Meerwings The Swallow Tale by Pyatshaw)--looking as if she'd come out in her underwear...never mind, it will grow back and now she is in season , so no shows for her for the rest of the month.

..and the three of them enjoying the sunshine in Belfast after the show last Sunday.

My friend, Sue Gray (Gennasus) took these 4 photos.

I'm suffering from withdrawal symptoms tonight as I know some of my friends will already be on board the coach down at the Forth Road Bridge preparing for departure very soon for Driffield Championship Show. I did not enter the show...however, think of the money I've saved!

Our day at Belfast Championship Dog Show.

2010-09-28T15:03:00.004+01:00

Top left--The dog crates are loaded and the bus is prepared for the overnight trip.

Top right--How we spent the 3 hour journey over the Irish Sea to Belfast. (This was the slow ferry this year.) This lounge (one of several) eventually filled up with passengers.

Middle left--The interior of one of the vehicle decks.

Middle right--We are some of the first exhibitors to arrive at the show and pick our postions for the trolleys near our ring--(which was later moved 3 times!--ie the ring)

Bottom left--The judge, Mrs Jackie Leslie, examines an exhibit.

Bottom right--The ferry awaits us for the return journey--or so we thought, but we were loaded on to a high speed one which brought us back to Scotland in 2 hours. The sea was quiet as a millpond, both going and returning and we even managed a meal on board to pass the time.

There were so few dogs in almost every class that I had hardly time to take photos between showing my own three dogs.

Top left--The dog CC winner, Adnamashan One In A Million.

Bottom left--The RCC dog, Northlyte Timeless Dream.

Middle top--My dogs, Maisie-3rd in Junior: Roley-2nd in Junior dog: Swallow-3rd in Open bitch.

Middle--Papplewick Pretty In Pink At Adinaken-RBCC.

Middle bottom--Sharjoy Sugar Candy-Best Bitch puppy and Best Puppy in Breed.

Right--Gennasus On A Mission-Best Puppy dog.

I did not manage to photograph the BCC winner who also took Best of Breed-- IR/Ger. Ch.-Denemore Iconsgabi.

Update on Irish trip.

2010-09-24T21:54:00.006+01:00

The latest news is that the ferry is now leaving Stranraer at half past two, Sunday morning and so now we will be leaving our house at 8.15 pm Saturday instead of the original 4.30 pm, later changed to 6.15 pm! It's been all the talk of dog showing people on the networking site. Someone from farther south said,"What are they playing at? Why can't they put on another ferry?" Well, I don't suppose too many companies could afford to have a huge, spare ferry standing by in case of breakdowns!
Excitement is building as this is our only trip "abroad" showing the dogs and if all ferry services are normal on Sunday we will be back home earlier than if we'd been to a show in the Midlands of England.

Panic stations.

2010-09-23T18:47:00.002+01:00

Many of us were looking forward to travelling to Belfast Championship dogshow this weekend but a spanner has been thrown into the works. As most of you will know,for us inScotland, it involves a road journey to Stranraer, a 2 hour ferry trip across the Irish Sea and then a short journey to the venue in Belfast. The preferred ferry was always one which left Stranraer round about 5am, Sunday and it has always been packed to the doors and fully booked well in advance of the show. However, this year, it turns out that, due to technical reasons, it has been cancelled, sending everyone's plans into disarray and now most earlier ferries are also fully booked.
As far as I know, our coach is travelling on one which departs for Ireland around midnight, so here's hoping there are no more cancellations. I'll report later on what actually happened!

Me, or the camera?

2010-09-21T16:39:00.003+01:00

If you enlarge this photo then look very carefully you'll be able to make out the little flock of sparrows which had gathered for breakfast, perched precariously on the tall seedheads, waving about in the breeze. They must have been there when the dogs were out (they have no access to that part of the garden) and also my husband who had been smoking outside the back door. He told me to come and see them. I ran to fetch the camera and quietly shut the dogs in the kitchen.

Whenever I went outside, (like a mouse!) with the zoomed camera they became restless and almost immediately flew off, never to return...well, not to-day. Hence some rather blurred sparrows! Was it me...or the camera?

New arrivals.

2010-09-20T13:23:00.002+01:00

We usually associate young chickens with Easter...why?..anyway, this little bundle of fluff was hatched recently along with another three over at the farm. Unfortunately one seems to have met with an unfortunate accident as now there are only three. Either a weasel has managed to get into the run and take it or it has escaped out of a tiny gap, but either way there has been no trace of it.

I have never been a poultry lover but I must say I did admire the colour of mother hen's plumage.

Why do many people call these creatures "chickens" when chickens are little fluffy things? No way could you get a decent meal off one of them, but saying you were looking forward to a meal of roast hen doesn't have the same appeal!

Faces.

2010-09-19T15:06:00.004+01:00

Dreich, is the word that fits today's weather--drizzly, damp and not particularly warm. Yesterday was the opposite with the sound of combines from the surrounding countryside as they worked in the sunshine.

I took these photos of the dogs after we'd come back yesterday, from a walk down the track between the stubble fields. The only one missing is Tina who is confined to quarters as she is in season.

Top left is Mo (4): mid left-Maisie, now just on 1 year old: bottom left is Swallow: middle bottom is Spencer-13 in November(3):top right is Tass (8) and bottom right is Roley, litter brother to Maisie and bottom of the "pecking order" in this household!

Some more old horse implements.

2010-09-17T19:43:00.002+01:00

My husband helped Ross collect this old implement from a farm roup (sale) and it was in a very dilapidated state with rotten shafts and teeth. Chic (husband) thought he was mad but see the following photographs to see the transformation. He found two pieces of the special type of wood of the appropriate length and took them to a craftsman in the town of Aberfeldy, not so far from Abernethy, who steamed them for hours then bent them to the required curve.

2010-09-17T19:29:00.002+01:00

This is an old horse hay sweep,now completely restored by Ross himself, and was called a "tumblin' Tam" in Scotland. Once enough mown hay had been collected to form a large pile it was deftly flicked up and over so depositing the pile ready to be built into a rick.

Up she goes..

..rolls over on the curved shafts..

and now almost completely over to start once more.

2010-09-17T19:05:00.005+01:00

This old cart, the model converted to rubber tyres, lies in the now defunct dairy premises, awaiting restoration.

Here Ross proudly shows us his two horse ploughs, one restored and the other in somewhat rusty condition. Behind, on the left, is a turnip chopper. I well remember many hours spent pitching turnips into a similar machine to feed to the cattle in winter. The turnips came out like big chips!....and just how that other item came to be up on that shelf remains a mystery!

NB the high fashion of the demonstrator....the obligatory tweed bonnet of the farmer and that ubiquitous old waistcoat!

Childhood Memories

2010-09-16T21:49:00.002+01:00

My brother sent me this photo of him with two of his Clydesdales yoked to a flat wagon and it made me quite nostalgic. We never had this type of cart on the farm. The first ones I remember were really quite small compared to the massive metal trailers seen nowadays. They were fairly high with big iron rimmed wheels and wooden spokes and creaked, crunched and lurched over the stones. Then we progressed to rubber wheeled ones which seemed like pure luxury. There was nothing to compare with being in charge of one of the horses driving out to the field to collect some load or other when you were 9 or 10 years old. Little did we know then that the horses we were given could probably do the journey themselves.

Ross is certainly re-living his younger days as he drives around the farm with this well matched pair, Stanley and Amy and I think he has a notion to start a small museum of old horse implements. The drawback is that such a venture is almost strangled by "Health and Safety" requirements if open to the public, but he already has a sundry collection. ..maybe some day!

Lochaber Open Show

2010-09-14T13:25:00.002+01:00

Mo (Pyatshaw Ravel) with his trophy and rosette.

(photo by Sue Gray)

It was well worth the 100 mile journey north then west to Fort William through some of Scotland's most stunning scenery as this was a very successful Open show for us.

Mo went Best in Show and we came home with lots of goodies as a result.

For winning Best of Breed he was given (well, me, actually!) a rosette, a silver trophy, a miniature bottle of whisky and £5, for coming Best Toy he again won a rosette, a silver quaich, a large bottle of whisky and a small bag of dog food and for going Best in Show we were given the winner's shield, a big rosette and a large bag of the good quality dog food.

This is a far cry from some much bigger societies who can only provide a rosette for the BIS and indeed some Championship shows which do not even provide a Best of Breed rosette.

Well done, Lochaber and District Canine Society!

They also provide a day long hospitality table laden with homemade biscuits, cakes and liquid refreshments for exhibitors to help themselves.

I am just sorry that I cannot provide some photos of all this as my camera decided to go on the blink at the beginning of the show and no matter what I did--reloaded the batteries, changed the batteries, prodded buttons etc. I still was looking at a multi-striped screen. ££££ notes were floating before my eyes as I thought its trouble was terminal but, funnily enough, when I got home I tentatively switched it on and it leapt into life...good as new! Oh well, I know about as much about the workings of a camera as I do about computers..and that could sit on a pin head, so I'm just thankful!

Mo is back to running through muddy puddles and digging holes and is a far cry from his showring self again and will have to get used to some different feeding for a while as we have quite a lot to get through and being Scottish there is no way I'm not using it.

It was really a poodle I wanted!

2010-09-10T13:56:00.002+01:00

Whilst chatting to a "doggy" friend recently we got on to the subject of pups for sale. At the moment she has Chihuahuas and Pomeranians but in the past has had Yorkshire Terriers. She said, "Have you ever had any strange experiences with people coming to view the pups?" I hadn't but I have never really bred much.
She had this man come in to see a Yorkie pup and he rambled on about other breeds, then scooped up the little Yorkie. My friend then detected this strong smell of drink from him and his ramblings became worse. She darted forward, retrieved the pup, shot into the kitchen where her husband was and said, "Get rid of that man. He's drunk." Then she fled upstairs in tears, clutching her "bairn." The man was duly shown the door but hubby stormed upstairs telling her never to do that to him again!
On another occasion a woman came to see a pup. She arrived just after 7pm, sat in the husband's big comfy armchair (he was working backshift) and chatted, drank several cups of tea and ate the offered biscuits and cakes until she took her leave at 11 pm with the words, "It was really a poodle I wanted!"
She thinks there must be a sign on her garden gate that says "Samaritan"!

Some photos of Papillons at City of Birmingham Championship Show 2010

2010-09-07T19:58:00.002+01:00

It seemed no time at all since I had unpacked it from the Welsh show and now, here was the holdall ready for the overnight coach journey to Stoneleigh, near Coventry, along with all my other gear and dogs. This time the trip, outward and homeward, was uneventful, unlike the Welsh journey!
The judge was Dr. Andreas Schemel and I had taken Maisie and Swallow both of whom were placed, Maisie being 4th in Puppy Bitch (one place behind her sister, Libby) and Swallow was 3rd in Limit Bitch.

2010-09-07T17:09:00.002+01:00

BOB AND Group 2--Congratulations to Lafford Fly Me Too Farleysbane (Dave) and his owner Sue Victor!

2010-09-07T17:07:00.002+01:00

RDCC (left) Ringland Genies To Alex for Temelora (Morrell & Teague) with (right) 2nd in Limit Powdermill Touch of Fortune (Burns)

(apologies for the poor photo-taken against the sunlight)

(right)-BCC,..Gleniren Tres Mannefico Sunshoo (Robb & Roe) and (left) RBCC,...Denemore Iconsgabi (Carroll & Newman).

Best Puppy--Tutyak Edward Rozamie (Magri & Arrowsmith)

Best Veteran--Garbreisa Periwinkle (Crawley)

2010-09-07T16:39:00.004+01:00

Minor Puppy Dog

1st.(left) Bedellus And All That Jazz (Beadle)

Dog Challenge (part 1)

Dog Challenge (part 2)

Bitch Challenge (part 1)

Bitch Challenge (part 2)

2010-09-07T16:23:00.002+01:00

Later, back in the carpark, fellow exhibitors wait in the sunshine for our coach to return.

In the distance we see it coming round the track followed by a dustcloud.

..and now ready for loading for the homeward journey.

September Header Photo.

2010-09-01T21:26:00.002+01:00

This photo of Swallow was taken at Welsh Kennel Club Championship show held recently in Builth Wells in the heart of Wales. Here we are waiting to go into the ring for the judging of Best Toy. The eventual winner was a Finnish dog, a Lowchen.

Maisie, B.P.I.S.

2010-08-31T19:34:00.002+01:00

Maisie, now aged 11 months , with her winner's sash and rosette, photographed by Sue Gray (Gennasus) in our back garden after winning Best Pup in Show at the Scottish Papillon Club Open show on Saturday.

We also came home with an embroidered towel and a butterfly brooch as part of the prize.

One weekend---Two dog shows.

2010-08-30T19:50:00.002+01:00

Just what I like! Should I be taking it easier at just on my three score years and ten?....no way...I'm not giving in that easily...always have been a sticker!
Luckily, this time both shows were close to home, one being forty minutes away and the other an hour. Have you noticed how we Scots tend to measure distance in hours and minutes?
My friend Sue (Gennasus) from way up in Morayshire (three hours away!!) drove down to the Scottish Papillon Club Open show in Alva on Saturday and then stayed overnight with us here before going on to the Scottish Kennel Club Show at Edinburgh on Sunday. We both had two good days showing with Sue's Desmond winning Reserve Best in Show at Alva and my Swallow going Reserve Best Bitch and young Maisie winning Best Puppy in Show.
On the Sunday at Ingliston SKC Maisie again won Best Pup in Breed, having gone against Sue's Elwood who had won Best Dog Pup. Swallow won her Limit Bitch class but Sue's Pansy won the Reserve Bitch Challenge Certificate. My little Roley came second in his puppy class.
The weather, as usual, was not at all friendly on Sunday with terrific gusts of a cold wind causing the marquees to flap quite a bit but it did stay fair and sunny for most of the day. However, today, annoyingly enough, it has been beautiful with just the trace of a breeze.
I'm hoping Sue will send me some photos she took of the dogs with the prizes they won on the Saturday. I will post them when they arrive.

After THAT journey!

2010-08-24T20:56:00.002+01:00

We ( Tina, Mo, Swallow and I) took a walk down the track which runs through the ripening harvest fields, some of which have been combined.

2010-08-24T20:53:00.001+01:00

and boys continue to be boys!