October 3, 2008: Foul Weather.
We are back in blog mode...perhaps precipitated by the absolutely disgusting weather we have today. As the Welsh say, it is "serious" weather (actually, that is usually preceded by an expletive which we cannot print). The wind is howling and the rain lashing down, but at least it is a break from the hail. The sheep don't want to move, the dogs don't want to be outside and neither do we. Nasty weather! Angie's sister brought with her from New Zealand some smashing new rain gear for us and this has been well and truly tested (and appreciated).

We took some time away from our computers after the World Trial and spent time out with the dogs instead. Angie went off to Scotland to visit some friends, play with dogs, look at property and she even had a trip to the Moffat sweet shop - a favoured old haunt of ours. The weather in Scotland was sunny all week long, as it was in Wales. It was so warm in Wales that the dogs went up to the pond for a swim almost every day. That was pretty much all the sunshine we have seen in Wales since moving here, and it feels like that might be it until next summer.

Blade and Bailey enjoying a swim

Now that the World Trial is well and truly over, the task of finding a farm, jobs etc is now taking top priority. Just minor 'technical' details! We found a perfect farm for us but like most things, just outside our price range. Very discouraging. Ah well, something will come along - hopefully sooner than later as we are seriously out of space for the dogs and with winter around the corner, we have to make sure they are snug and warm on the cold days.

The farm on which we live is supposed to be hosting a nursery trial tomorrow. Kelvin and Mike have been up setting out the course and it looks good. We even marked out a proper shedding ring for the occasion. The sheep have been worked quite a bit over the past couple of months so they should be great sheep for the nursery dogs. They have not been worked on the trial field so hopefully they will behave! Angie was going to run Ace in her first trial but Ace has a cold and likely she won't start tomorrow. There's no hurry to start her in trials as she is still young. Tina and Sioux are ineligible for nurseries because of their placings in Open. Ah well, you can't have it both ways.

This is the view from the trial field at Brynberllan

We FINALLY managed to get some more photos posted on our website of the pre-World Trial trial at Libanus (Kevin and David Evans' place). We think these are some of the best photos we have taken to date - not TOO bad for a couple of rank amateurs. Angie has been busy choosing her favourites for a 'secret' project she is working on (it's probaby one of the world's most badly kept secrets - well, at least among our friends (all 4 of you!)). Thank you to all those who have emailed us to tell us what your favourites are and to compliment us on the photos. A special thank you to all of those who have ordered our photos. We hope they make for lasting memories. We have been quite surprised by the number of people ordering photos - and you might be interested to learn that it is not just the owners of the dogs who are ordering them! Wow, we appreciate everyone's support.

Last week Bailey took it upon herself to go visiting Mike and Nora downstairs. She has learned a new trick of 'knocking' on their door. When they heard the knock, Mike went to answer the door and as he opened the door, in walked Bailey. After doing a tour of Nora's pantry and saying hello, she made herself at home and did not rush to leave. Judging by the weight she has put on, Mike has been spoiling Bailey with Welsh cakes. For sure Bailey is going to be given special treatment next week as she has to go for leg surgery on Monday. She'll be after some 'sympathy' Welsh cakes.

Well, back to the task of finding a home. Gulp! Aw shucks, perhaps we will go and play with the pups instead for a while.