West Lakes

The last half hour of driving to the venue tired on a rainy, dark Friday night, on windy roads, I was promising myself I'd not bother again, it couldn't possibly be worth the effort ... I was so wrong! The show has to be in the most stunning location of any agility show in the UK, probably the world!! Surrounded by big hill scenery, the venue itself (Millom rugby club ground, Haverigg) is perfect - flat, well-mown, well-drained, superb facilities - shower to die for, cheap club bar with hand pumps, lovely gang running the show. Oh and you just tootle off from the top of the rings over a narrow strip of dunes and you're on an idyllic beach!!! 

 

 

 

 

 

The weather was quite kind - crazy blustery rainy late evenings, but daytimes were bright and dry with a perfect cooling sea breeze. We had a lovely supper from the village chippy, eaten on the front. After being knackered driving home too on the Sunday last year I opted to stop over till Monday and so we got some fab whole gang walks on a very quiet beach in at the end of the show. Ah yes, the show!.. We did indeed do some agility too! Maisie got a nice 13th place in G3 agility on the Saturday and she did some happy running in other classes, though has really gone off her weaves - must work on jollying them up for her!

Tim ... was the most consistent he has ever been over a weekend - & no, not consistently baaaad! He was such a good lad and really enjoyed all of his runs. On his first one he was so un-anxious that when he ran past the weave entry I felt able to gently bring him back to try again and he did all twelve, same on his next run, and then on each run after that he nailed his weaves, one even from a tricky angle, good boy!!!! One jumping run he ducked under the first jump (rushing to get to the weaves, ironically! haha) so I put him back and he went on to run clear! Ho hum. Another very nearly good clear was spoilt by a crap handler moment - I was so shocked he'd done the hard bits beautifully I failed to step back far enough when pulling him in round a wing and so of course he back-jumped. Couldn't be more pleased with him though - gosh, it's a journey for us both but we are getting there - wherever there is!! He has been quite challenging from the start, just coz he's such an anxious, easily-distracted little man, but I've never stopped believing he's got "it" in spades. Watch this ginger space!! ;o)