All the happy campers went up to Brentwood on Friday. I arrived to find a caravan 'stuck' in the gateway, and who was directing the 'traffic', but Marilyn! And once through the gateway, Marilyn then had to walk down the field to catch Jeff up!! Claire came a long shortly afterwards.
We had been planning on going for a nice walk, to the country park Dave had told us about, but were waiting for Pete & Wendy, as we had thought they were arriving mid afternoon. Having spoken to Pete at the services, we expected them about 4.30pm. At 5.30pm we were just going to text, when Wendy phoned to say they were on their way, but the AA was towing the caravan! They finally arrived about 6pm, having been on the road for about 5 ½ hrs………….so off we went for a walk with out them.
As Dave had said the park was lovely! Dave didn't predict that we would walk in a thunderstorm, with rain! By luck, I had taken a coat, but Claire & Marilyn just had polo shirts on top, and Jeff had a sweatshirt. We did try to shelter but didn't stay dry for long! So it was a wet walk back to the car. Jeff & Marilyn then took the scenic route back to camp, arriving about ¼ hr behind Claire & I!
Saturday morning, and it was the turn of Allsorts (Katie, Tess, Beau & Alfie), racing seed 3 in Div 3.
Race 1: Allsorts 'v' Extrabuccs - Racing was close - we lost the first, won the second, and managed to win the third with Tess re-running. Lost the last 2, making it a 3-2 loss, best time 20.46
Race 2: Allsorts 'v' Shooting Star Jokes: Straight forward 3-0 win. Vicki held her passes!! Best time 20.54
Race 3: Allsorts 'v' Marsh Cougars: Another set of close racing, where passes had to pushed if possible! Elaine had a double false start, and Vicki another light!! We lost 3-2, best time 20.30
Race 4: Allsorts 'v' Molton Metals: Narrowly won the first 2 races, then that little blue light appeared! Lost the next, and finally that blue light again! Lost 3-2, best time 20.50
Race 4: Allsorts 'v' Barkshire Bandidos: Won the first leg, as Penny's dog (the opposition) had been frightened earlier in the day, and ran slowly! So they swapped her, and went on to beat us 3-1! Best time 20.80……….and no lights!
So we came 5th in Div 3, best time 20.30.
There was plenty to do and have a go there. Some played Hide 'n' Seek, agility, weave challenge, obstacle course for 'top ability dogs'……………..Mmm!! And Bailey managed to win a heat of Scruffs, gaining a place in the finals at Discover Dogs in November.
We went back to the park in the evening for another lovely walk, with all the dogs. Returned to camp or a BBQ. Having lit up, I received a text from Vicki to say she had been through a horrendous thunderstorm……luckily it didn't reach us! But it did start to rain.
Sunday, and it Hotdogs (Tosh, Molly, Spencer, Ollie & Meg) were seed 2 in Div 2.
Race 1: Hotdogs 'v' Hampshire Harriers: (T, Mo, S, Me) Won the first leg. Then went on to loose next 3, with Molly fumbling the ball twice. Lost 3-1, best time 19.67
Race 2: Hotdogs 'v' Maple Leaf Raggers: (T, Mo, O, Me) - Usually have some close racing (although we noticed Layla has been moved into this team!), but Molly had a fumble, so pulled Spencer in. lost 3-0, best time 20.01
I then decided that Molly & Spencer would share racing, rather than running together!!
Race 3: Hotdogs 'v' Ball Busters: (T, O, S, Me) - Straight forward 3-0 win! Best time 20.13
Race 4: Hotdogs 'v' Molton Meteors (T, O, Mo, Me) - Molton were lacking handlers & dogs this w/e, and were having problems in this div - but not when we raced them!! Lost 3-1, best time 19.85
Race 5: Hotdogs 'v' Barkshire Bullets (T, O, S, Me) - Ollie got a light. Had to 'go for it', but not fast enough. So in desperation (!?) swapped Spencer for Molly to gain some speed, but she fumbled! Lost 3-0, best time 19.93
So like Allsorts, the Hotdogs also gained 5th place, in Div 2, best time 19.67.