Nuri's progress.

Here he is at 5 months and not the easiest of subjects of which to get a decent photograph.

He now accompanies my "quiet lot" on short walks and is pretty good at returning to me to be put back on the lead. When he first encountered daisies on the grass he went berserk, bouncing about all over the place. At the house the dogs are fenced off the "lawn" as it used to resemble a rabbits warren when they were allowed free access, so this was something new to him!

From the small puppy with the chihuahua type head when he first came here, he has now developed a nose and legs and I daresay his head will change a bit more yet as he matures. He is entered for his first show, an Open, just after the middle of July.

Blackpool Championship Dog Show 2009

There was a full coach of toydog competitors when we left the Forth Road Bridge car park at 1am for the shortish journey (in championship dog show miles!) to Blackpool. We arrived at the venue at 7.30 after a couple of stops.

There was a stiff wind blowing and it brought back memories of the gale wrecked show of 2008 but it turned out not to be of such strength as to be anything more than a bit of a nuisance and was even welcome in the ensuing heat of the afternoon.

We had a more successful day with the 2 bitch litter sisters, Swallow, who came 2nd in Limit Bitch and Carole's Emma, who came 3rd in Post Graduate Bitch. Mo was again unplaced.

The following photographs are a random selection again, with some winners included.

Winner of the Minor Puppy Dog class was Bedellus Baccarat.

Judging of Minor Puppy Bitch class.

Best Puppy Dog being awkward!

...and again !

..and finally settles down for his handler, Mr Doug Johnston.

Mrs Anna Fraser wins the Junior Dog Class with her Bonmeshay Get Carter

The winning line-up in Post Graduate Dog.

Northlyte Timeless at Bonmeshay 1st and Jhanakia Highland Destiny followed by Sharjoy Back to the Future.

Sharjoy Back to The Future--3rd Limit Dog.

Lafford Flyin Without Wings at Dourhu.--Best Dog Pup

Two of the entrants in Puppy Bitch wait to be seen by the judge.

A very alert youngster in the Minor Puppy Bitch class, Paupad Revelation

Best Bitch Puppy and Best Puppy in Breed---Gleniren Mannelisa Sunshoo

Amicae Leading Lady for Rozamie--Ist in Junior Bitch.

Sunshoo Imakool Kat Gleniren--BCC

Ch. Gleniren Starlight Kisses--RBCC

The Breeders Competition, which hasn't really taken off in this breed yet.

These are the Lysandra team, the sole entrants.

Skywatch Friday 6

One of mydaughters, her husband and their young son emigrated to South Australia last year and she keeps telling me about the amazing sunsets they see from their house. I did visit them in February and saw them for myself, some of which I have posted previously. This, however is a sunrise that Julie saw and photographed as they were leaving for work one morning. She sent it over for me to post on my blog.

To see lots more beautiful skies visit http://skyley.blogspot.com/

Which Butterfly?--now turns out to be a Moth!

A friend in Prestonpans, in East Lothian, sent me this photograph of this butterfly/moth. There were several of them flitting about among the grass. I think it may be a butterfly as the tips of the antennae are swollen but I have never seen anything like it nor have I been able to identify it. Could it be a visitor from the Continent as it is a bit exotic looking for a British insect?

Any suggestions would be welcome.

Addendum---It is indeed a Six-Spot Burnet Moth as suggested by Sue Gray (Gennasus). I have "googled" it and unusually, it states, for a moth , it has these swollen tips to its antennae and is one of only a few day-flying moths. It can be found in coastal areas in the Edinburgh region. The bright colours warn would be predators of its toxic content.

You learn something new everyday! Thank you, Sue.

Border Union Championship Dog Show

Well, it was hot, perhaps a bit too hot for the dogs standing in the ring waiting to be judged, but I, for one, enjoyed it after all the indifferent and downright cold weather we've had recently. I think there may be quite a few pink faces and arms today!
One hope I have is that whoever decided to schedule the judging of Miniature Pinschers, with an entry of 38, in the same ring before 132 Papillons, has a re-think before next year's show, as we thought our Best of Breed wasn't going to make the Group judging..........but he did, and in some style as he came in as Group 1, under Miss V. Williams (Toydom). Papillons were judged by Mr Des Jenkins (Churrasco).
For the first time in quite some while, I came home with no prizecards for either Swallow or Mo. Oh well, there's Blackpool Champ. Show on Friday.........ever the optimist!
The full results with photos(in due course) can be seen at http://papillonclubofscotland.blogspot.com/
I have included on this post, along with some general photographs, a random selection of some of the dogs competing.
We were so hungry on the way home, as we had eaten our lunch sandwiches at 8.30am and had survived the rest of the day on our flask of coffee and a small pack of shortbread, that we stopped for a "chippie" in Lauder. "Romeo", the owner, referred to Carole and I as"girls"...we're definitely calling in there again next year....Just one Cornetto etc. etc.................

The crowded ringside.

Some of the exhibitors in Puppy Dog.

The judge enjoys a well earned 5 minute break. How did he manage to wear that jacket throughout the day?

This little papillon , belonging to Mrs. Gill Breen, resting in his "box" at her "OUR DOGS" stall!

In the frame--Mrs J Davidson-Poston's Powdermill Touch The Future
Spinillons--2nd Puppy Dog.

Mrs A Cooper's Ancojo Fire Storm-2nd Minor Puppy Dog.

Miss P. Taylor's Pamhurst Taylor Made (NAF) -3rd Puppy Dog.

Ann Cooper's Ancojo Fire Starter-1st Minor Puppy Bitch

Best Puppy Dog and BPIB Northlyte Wind Walker to Santaviga, owned by Mr & Mrs Pritchard.

Mrs K. Maskell's Kazkell Dazling Dream-2nd Post Graduate Dog.

Mrs. M Duncan's Papwings Moonlit Shadow

Skywatch 5.

A skyful of clouds above the ripening rape fields in Strathearn, Perthshire, Scotland.

For more skies of the world see http://skyley.blogspot.com/

The Milky Bar Kids

Hard at work

In relaxed mode!

St Andrews Cupar & District Open Show.

This was a local show for me as it was held in Perth Ice rink on Sunday.Here George had a 3rd place, Mo a 2nd and Swallow a 2nd while Spencer was placed 2nd in the Any Variety Veteran Stakes for which we received the princely sum of £3.00. It was better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick and would always help with the cost of the petrol..(and my coffee and sandwiches..and, oh, .....a cake)!

Mrs A Skelton's Adnamashan One in a Million was Best of Breed and Toy Group 4

The judge, Mr Carl Sparrow, goes over the Papillon, A. One in a Million.

The short list from the Toy Group.

Eventually 1st was the Maltese followed by the Pomeranian, then the Chinese Crested and then the Papillon.