July 21, 2009:
Last weekend we were off trialling at the Mynidd Islwyn Trial. As we mentioned last week, this is a 'favourite and not-to-miss' trial. It is about 2 hours away from home on the edge of a common in the valleys outside of Cardiff, and set in spectacular countryside. Last year Kelvin was busy so I went to this trial alone. It was my first year of trialling and the first time in Wales when I had ventured off to a trial on my own. Miraculously I managed to find the trial field. My satellite navigation took me as far as the town's church; after that I was on my own. Quite by accident I found the field. On the mobile phone to Kelvin, he was telling me the field should be somewhere ahead on my left. At one point I pulled the truck over and jumped up and down trying to sneak a peek over a tall stone wall. Found! I arrived first thing before the trial started just to make sure I could get an early run...where I would not be called off for standard.

I ran Roy and Meg, and managed to make a right fool of myself when in the shed with Roy, I took one collared and one uncollared ewe instead of two uncollared ewes. I thought I was disqualified so I started to walk off in shame. Then I heard Dai Meek hollering "you can shed again." I thought all my Christmas's had come at once and back into the ring I went to perhaps rescue one point. Well, we did shed and pen, and timed out just as I was calling Roy in for the single. I was pleased to get that far but completely embarrassed at my inability to tell a collared ewe from one without a collar! Then I ran Meg. I can't remember too much about the run. I seem to remember her running well but I don't think we finished. All I remember is coming off the field and Richard Millichap walking over to me and asking how Meg was bred. I just about fell over that RICHARD MILLICHAP spoke to me. I went home and told Kelvin "Richard Millichap spoke to me" and he could only mutter, "Richard who?" I was NOT impressed with Kelvin but in awe that one of the best handlers around would take the time to talk to 'she who cannot tell a collared ewe from an uncollared one.'

This year Kelvin and I went to the trial together. No problem finding the field; I recognized the stone wall instantly. Kelvin had Blade and Tina to run, and I ran Roy, Sioux and Jamie. Poor Meg is still injured and stayed at home. I missed her! Richard Millichap was there - first time I had seen him all season. He is one of the people I always stop to watch as he is a fantastic handler. He had the best run of the day around the course with Dewi Tweed. He walked his sheep around quietly, had superb lines, tight turns and a fabulously controlled run. Impressive. Shame he did not get his single as he timed out coming into the ring. Meirion Jones and Joe had a super run too and they took home first place. My Jamie had a good-ish run as well and finished second - two points ahead of Richard!!! I say good-ish because you can't lose 24 points and say you had a good run. We were 24 points short of that! I came home to a voice mail from Meirion saying "You finished second to a hell of a good dog." Meirion, if you are reading this, you beat a hell of a good dog. Poor Jamie has to put up with me piloting him. Joe has a heck of an advantage. :-) ..and I got a congratulatory message from Richard. How thrilling is that?!!!! Oh well, I'll be at the bottom of the heap again just as quickly :-)

The next day I raced off the Scotland in what was to be a whirlwind trip. I arrived mid-afternoon and managed to give Jamie a run on some blackies before going to help out in the shearing shed for a while. It was nice to be in Scotland again. Early Monday morning I went off to Edinburgh for work. I took a scenic route to and from Edinburgh past where Bobby and Shiela Dalziel lived when they were first married; past the turn-off to Julie Hill and Bobby Henderson's place; and past the home of the great J.M. Wilson. There must be something in the air up there! I was thinking of Julie Hill and Bobby Henderson as I went past their turn-off. They both have 'magic' when they are running dogs. To me, Julie is the best lady handler on the planet...and one of the best - period. She is so quiet when she handles a dog. No barking and hollering, screaming or yelling. All quiet and controlled, even when things are not going to plan. Bobby Henderson is the same. More than their acumen with dogs, and sheep, they are nice, nice people. Last year I made another fool of myself (I'm quite good at this, apparently) when I went the wrong way around the post. As I came off the field desperately trying to shrink into my wellies, Bobby Henderson quietly said, "I've done that too." I took an instant liking to him then and there for showing compassion to a stranger...and a beginner. As I drove past the house where JM Wilson used to stay, I imagined him walking around the hills with his dogs. If only we could go back in time and see what his life was like in those days...and see his dogs. How would they compare to the dogs of today? Anyway, I love this trip to Edinburgh. The scenery is spectacular and I never tire of the thought of being in the same place in the world from which JM Wilson hailed. It was a long trip!

Back at home, it has been raining cats and dogs for days. Our pleasant, meandering stream has become quite a river and Kelvin has had to dig out our walking bridges a couple of times as they have been covered in silt being washed down from above. He has also unblocked a number of drains so water can move more freely. Our kennel roof has been repaired but we are going to be doing some more work on the shed to better weatherproof it for the winter. My new lawnmower is sitting in the shed unused and waiting for a respite in the weather for me to get the lawns mowed. Bailey has been enjoying the rain and she never tires of fishing in the stream or hunting for rabbits. Yesterday she was seen sprinting up the hill and disappearing into the trees, obviously in hot pursuit of a rabbit. The rabbit won - we think.

It would be nice to have a quiet week but it is not to be. The Royal Welsh Show is on and we just have to take in that event. A dog trial accompanies the event and Kelvin is running there with Tina...and I am supposed to run there this afternoon. Unfortunately we did not get a run on the same day so with the cost of petrol and the thought of another 2 hour trip up and the same back, I am going to beg off this one. There's plenty more trials coming up...

Till next week...happy trialling.