They Do Everything On The Left Side

Okay, here we are, the first full day in England...can't count when I landed, since that was a full day at the Animal Reception Centre getting Gin out! Before I left, I had a conversation with Nancy Obernier regarding the upcoming adventures on my trip. I commented that when it comes to me, something was bound to happen. I should keep my mouth shut. First of all, the trip to the airport was a cause to make an ulcer or two. Leanne Huber took me to the airport, but first we had to drop Gin off at cargo. In the last month since I was at the Calgary Airport, they have closed roads, so the 5 minute drive it should have been to cargo turned out to be 20 minutes (so much for being on time). Of course, there is rushhour traffic to contend with as well. Where is my Tums?? Okay, so we get to Air Canada Cargo, I jump out to tell them that we are there, Leanne gets Gin ready to come out, I go in...they tell me we are at the wrong place, I run out, I yell "Start the car!!", and we get to the right place. I mentioned to the person in charge how difficult it was to get to them now, and he said they were on an island. Much like Exile Island, but I didn't see any challenges they could do to get out. Probably a good thing, the fellow had a picture of a pink bra posted above his computer..maybe it was going to be part of the challenge (okay, it was in recognition of breast cancer - some people shave their heads, some wear pink bras...maybe I will get a bra next time). Gin was dropped off, required papers left, and we made it to the airport.
The flight was pretty much full, and I sat beside an interesting person from Oregon. John was his name, and he was 90 years old. He reminded me of my dad...well, only his age did. John still flies an airplane - yes, I did say FLY, (my dad will never go on a plane), he talked my ear off regarding his 5 wives (first one died of colon cancer, second one was in the military and liked her drink too much, third one died of cancer as well, fourth one he divorced, and the fifth one he just left in the hospital in Oregon with fluid removed from her lungs - she had said she better go on this particular trip). John said his family beat the Mayflower by 3 years, and he showed me pictures of his history...him being in the airforce, his children (one which is in Devon, England, and who developed that commercial with the duck for Alflac...who knew??), and his wives. He had only recently retired (at 85) from being an engineer for building big ships. Midway in the flight, he had tried to put his batteries in his hearing aid, and got one backwards, and it got stuck. I tried to help him, but he was insistent that he do it himself, since he felt if it got wrecked only he could be blamed. We asked for a sharp pointy object to remove the battery...the airline stewardess just laughed, they aren't even allowed to have nail files themselves. Finally, a lady in the next row gave him a bobby pin (watch this for the next thing to be removed by security), and he got the battery taken out and replaced correctly.
We landed, and I made sure John got to his rental car (I would think someone would help my dad if he was travelling on his own, which of course will NEVER happen, but just the same...)and then struck out on my own. I got to the rental car company (National) and in checking in, they asked me around to their computer to retrieve some information. As I was doing this, this large American lady said to me that she was going to check on the car she just rented. I noted that even though I was wearing a green Saskatchewan Roughriders shirt, I was not an employee for National Rental Car. You would have thought my red hat that said "Canada" would have tipped her off. I offered her a sign and finished getting my own car.
As I drove off of the lot, I got directions to the Animal Reception Centre to pick up Gin. Three minutes later I was back on the lot (should have made the second left). Finally, I found the centre, and then I waited for Gin. Everyone seemed to have got their dog except for me...with good reason. I was told there was something amiss with the paperwork. Now, I did the paperwork myself, read the websites several times and didn't miss a thing...so I thought. Apparently the rabies titre is not the only thing you need, but the actual vaccination certificate is needed as well. I told the powers at be that I was the vet that vaccinated her, and promised that I would get a faxed copy of the papers to them. So, 5 hours later, I had Gin taken out (she was really glad to see me) and we set out to Yorkshire, where we would be hanging out before the World Trial. Roundabouts...I have better figure them out soon. All I needed was to get on the M1 going to the north, but hit it going south (into London) and being rush hour, it took forever to get going the right way. When I finally found a place where I could turn onto the M1, I cut off another motorist, and got flipped the royal bird...left handed of course. Sorry chap.
We drove until I got tired (1 am in England, 4 pm in Canada...funny, my internal clock gets tired in the afternoon as well back home) and stopped outside of Nottingham. Would like to see Robin Hood's country, but I am bound and determined to get to Embsay (outside of Skipton, Yorkshire) today...should only take about 2 hours if I travel the right way.

Soldier Hollow - The End For Some With A Bang

Well it was a great experience...certainly hope I can get invited again soon! The crowds of people, the atmosphere, the field...all fabulous. I was talked off of the ledge due to our poor showing, but that is the way it is. I recognize the error of my ways, and possibly by the time we are over the pond in the late week the ducks will be in a row when we run at the Worlds.
As it stands, I was pretty proud of Creed, he got to the top today without a lot of whistling. I lied him down (but actually I think he was taking a dump in the tall grass, and I didn't want the judge to know), then I slowly walked him up. Then BANG, the sheep exploded (they must have got bit by a wasp, couldn't have been Creed) and they came screaming down (or was that me). Straight lines, why can't we be artistic with our runs? We got the sheep turned at the pen, and Fast Edna made a break and leaped over the exhaust gate, and with that our run was done. Exhilarating! Short but sweet. Go big or go home. Guess I am going home.

Hold My Beer Tour..Chapter One

Well it feels like more than two weeks ago that the Shaunavon trial was on. Host Jaimie VanRyn pulled off yet another great trial with the support of the community.

In Saskatchewan small towns, if you make it big, your name goes up in lights, or plywood.




Triallers were of all ages, Joey and Joy came out again to compete in the Novice.

Hannah brought "her" dog Gin and ran her as well. She had told me she had taught Gin not to listen...she has done quite a fine job at that.

A stand was available so that we could see out on the field.

The old standbys were there. George and Kate, and ran for the two days before he had to go pick up his expectant wife Claudia from the airport in Calgary.

George showed us how to do it right, and ended up winning the overall.

Louanne and Meg looking up the field.

Louanne's midget border collie, Joe.

The Peanut Gallery.

Towards the end of the trial, a mini tornado came up during Jaimie's run, and a tent chased Max as he was doing the drive.
Ian Zoerb helped my nephews and neice pick up the carnage.
Faansi, as well as judging the trial, was the official photographer of the trial. Do not hire him, he cuts heads off of photos.
This was all I got out of the trial, thanks to Jaimie and her thoughtfulness.
This is proof that Gin can shed, and after we left Shaunavon, we all packed up to head for the Maple Creek Classic. As memory serves me correctly, I was hopeful of good things to come.

Stay tuned for the next chapter of the Hold My Beer Tour Experience.

Okay, I Am Tired Of Humble Pie

Let's see, Shaunavon, Maple Creek, the Canadians and now Soldier Hollow...all a bust for Gin and me. Sure makes one want to jump on a plane next week and compete in the Worlds that is for sure. Perhaps jumping out of the plane is more my my frame of mind. Possibly it is the pixie dust I have...expired last year at Virginia. I think a bunch of it got in Gin's ears today....Stop, what is stop? Come Bye? Never heard of that before. I am chalking it up to her being in heat...got to have some excuse. At least she did not cross over, have to look at something promising. Creed went out and found his sheep with some redirects from me, and he tried, so that is all I can ask from him. He does get another run tomorrow...but there is no horse shoe big enough in the world to help him get into the double lift. Good news is that there is complimentary beer for the handlers...high class! I understand why it is there...for those of us who want to drown our sorrows. Sorry Soldier Hollow, there is not enough beer in the world to drown these sorrows.

However, one shining lining in the clouds, the Canadians are really doing well. Scott Glen and Maid, Jenny Glen and Lad, Amanda Milliken and Rozz, and Denis Gellings and Jan are in the finals right now, with more good Canadian dogs to run tomorrow to hopefully get in. I will be there with my pompoms cheering them on. After all, that is what it is all about, cheering on those who do well, right?