A general view across the show rings, in Perth Icerink.

Another view taken upstairs, through the window of the restaurant, looking down on the busy show area.

A view into the pleasant upstairs cafe, part of the restaurant with its tartan carpet, from where you can get a good view of the proceedings down below.

Best of Breed and Group 3 was Kathy Smith's Mister Percival of Adinaken (Percy) shown by her daughter, Jennifer.

Best Puppy in Show was Bonmeshay's Get Carter, owned and bred by Anna Fraser and Gillian Graham.

Best Veteran in Show was my own Pyatshaw White Heat (Spencer), now aged 11 years and 5 months, handled here by grandaughter Lauren.

The passing of Mary Alice

The proof is in the photograph. She did indeed produce another 4 flowers, now waning, on a third stalk, equal in length to the second and "my guid man", as one of our Highland neighbours used to refer to Chic when addressing me, has at last assumed the upright stance. He tried to stay out of the picture, hence the toasting fork, but to prove he has left the prone position I needed at least part of him there!

Almost ready to take on the world!

Little Nuri, the new puppy, had his second jab at the beginning of the week. I took along, in the car with us, a towel and a new roll of kitchen paper as I expected to have to clean him and the box when I reached the vet's in Perth as he had been sick from both "ends" after travelling just a few miles when I had picked him up from his original home.
When I opened the back door to lift his box from the car, there was a little face looking out with his little nylon bone in his mouth and not a dribble or slaver in sight! So you never can tell how travel will affect them.
The lead training comes next and I think that might be a slightly different kettle of fish as he already has a mind of his own. We'll see.

Ross and Cromarty Open Show

This is what makes the journeying worthwhile!
The photographs are by Morag Webster (Logie Bear & Chums).

The BIS judge was Mrs. Leanne Lewis (Graylea) whose mother had owned the famous Baluch papillons, many of whom went abroad and did really well. At home she won BOB at Crufts in 1967 and '68 with Baluch Little Shenandoah, (who had markings very similar to Swallow, apparently!)

Best in Show--Katrina Rettie's Border Collie and Reserve Best in Show--Swallow.

What is that?........is it mine?

A northern dog show.

The choice was easy a few weeks back when it came to entering a show for 12th April, Wishaw or Ross and Cromarty at Invergordon. There can be no comparing the scenic beauty of the two routes from here. For me the trip north won hands down. I have been entering this show for about 4 years now but never with the success we achieved yesterday.(more of that later.)
I intentionally left earlier than necessary as I wanted to stop at various viewpoints to take photos so we, me and 4 dogs, set off on the 145 mile, 2 and a half hour, journey at 5.45 a.m. At first there was mist up the River Tay, then drizzle going over Drumochter Summit, but near Aviemore the sun broke through and from then on we had a glorious day, the best and warmest of the year so far!
The papillon numbers were disappointing with quite a few absentees, but my 4 dogs all came home with red tickets. George won Post Graduate, Swallow won Limit and Mo won Open. Spencer had already won Best Vintage in Show from an entry of 7, aged from 11 years upwards.
Swallow went on to take Best of Breed, then the Toy Group and eventually, Reserve Best in Show! I have no photos of my own of her taken at the show but a friend, Morag, of Logie Bear fame, obliged so I'll post one when it arrives by email.
There were 265 dogs in total, entered for the show--not bad when you consider how far north this venue is--not that far from John-O'-Groats!... there must be more "dafties" than me about!

A view from the top of the hill above Inverness before descending and crossing the first Firth of the journey, the Moray Firth.

The second Firth crossing over the Cromarty Firth.

An oilrig, anchored for repair, in the Firth just off Invergordon. At the start of the oil boom in the North Sea this area saw a huge influx of workers for the construction of such rigs but, sadly, the yard is now closed with the resulting unemployment of very many workers.

Plenty room on the grass to excercise the dogs.

"Look at the nice camera woman!"

It was even warm enough to "eat out" with only the occasional cloud passing over.

A last look back down the glasslike Cromarty Firth with Invergordon and its oilrigs in the distance

It certainly was very calm, as this photo shows, with the sky and hill mirrored in the waters of the Firth.

I took a short detour from the racetrack-like A9 down the old A9 where this view of Loch Alvie and the church was always one of my favourites when we lived in this area.

Holiday ideas.

I've just been watching Flog It, the programme where people take along their antiques, get a valuation and then the articles are put up for auction. One of the items today was a collection of Butlin badges from camps all over UK.(they sold for £100!) and this reminded me of the time my primary school friends and I decided we would like to go to Butlins for a weeks holiday in the summer. We would have great fun and it would be exciting to be away from parental supervision for a while. After all, all of us had been to Edinburgh on the train with our mothers and knew the ropes of rail travel, so we would manage the travelling bit ok. What should we pack?
Imagine my complete dismay when mother chapped this little scheme on the head right away. I had thought she would just ask when we were leaving and added insult to injury by saying we were far too young.
However, a few weeks later I hatched another scheme which no mother in her right mind could possibly stamp on. My brother had a little Welsh pony who had come complete with a little flat cart and all the harness and we used to play about the farm, carting all sorts of loads. We would go camping with this little outfit.So we made lists. They couldn't possibly refuse as we didn't intend travelling very far, possibly only into Fife, the neighbouring county. You've guessed?.....no, that idea never came to fruition either. I gave my mother the silent treatment for quite some time over her attitude to my obvious flair for holidays for the adult 10 year old! She was so unfair and unadventurous!

It's a good job none of my four children ever had such preposterous ideas!

When the cupboard door is left open...

I've got myself in here.

Now I need to get out.

....not another chewer!!!

Who,me?

The end.

Mopping the floor.

It's not easy with small fry around and it needs done constantly just now as Holly is in season and there are so many male dogs! Oh joy!

The swans' nest, Monty, and the little pond.

Yesterday I visited my youngest daughter in Musselburgh and we took her 8 year old Viszla, Monty, for a walk around the close-by newly constructed St Margaret's College. The path runs around the grounds and by the little pond surrounded by bullrushes and this is where we saw the swans' nest. Monty was into the water like a shot but was chased away from the vicinity of the nest.
By the way, how does the swan decide where to put the first bit of rush to start the nest building?...and how does it stay put on the water?

The swans' nest.

Father comes steaming across to protect his nest.

Keep back!

Monty sets out at a gallop.

...but soon he was in his favourite haunt, the little duck pond.

Under the little jetty where he ate the chunks of bread meant for the ducks.

Our fitness regime..part 1.

..now for part 2.

..and going for a drink afterwards.

Could this be Winnie The Poo(h)?

If you click on the photo and look very carefully you will see his (sleeping!) partner.

Our favourite things.

A fieldful of rabbit droppings.

A fox's den.

The dog equivalent of absolute heaven................a huge patch of horse poo!