Last week was crazy busy with shoot days and keeper’s days, some call it beater’s days. Whatever they are called they are a great way to finish the season and to thank all of those who have come out in snow, rain, wind and the occasional ray of sun to beat, stop and pickup. I have had many messages, photos and stories throughout the season telling me of how their dogs have performed. One always feels an emptiness in the days that follow, even the dogs wonder why they are not leaping into our vehicle for the off. I tell them all its only 7 months to the 1st of September, but they are still more than happy to leap up into the back of the Land Rover, staying there all day in the hope I may be wrong.
I use my car and my Land Rover depending which shoots I am going to, so my first job is empty one and then the other vehicle, stripping out all the junk we collect through the season, washing muddy dog splashes that seem to go everywhere.
Kirst Watts was out with her gun on one of her keeper’s days, sending me several very nice photos, especially of her German imported bitch Oakleaf Manor Bay of Oakmarsh JW retrieving a pheasant from cover.
I spoke too soon in the last breed notes, saying there has been no accidents – I was tempting fate. On one of our keeper’s days one of the other picker uppers while marking and following through on one bird, a pheasant, was hit in the chest by another one. Weighing around 2kg and flying at around 50mph it flew right at him hitting him square in the chest. We thought it had killed him knocking him over, winded and unable to get his breath he was lucky to come away with a broken rib and bruising.
Good news from Lorna Murray. Flying the flag in shows north of the border, telling me she had a great day at Border Counties Gundog Club. Judge Cathy Moffat and then Ros Bellamy in the AV classes Muireatai Teris Love (Taymur) 1st Graduate & RBOB, handled by Anne Combe. Muireatai Miracle Of Dreams 1st Open & BOB, also 3rd in AV Limit. Takoda Nathan 3rd in AV Veteran, which collected him 2 more points towards his veteran warrant.
At Isle of Ely Open Show Brigitte Bodle judging Chesapeakes awarded BOB to Mahon-Hunns & Middleton’s Susqudilla Bergelle Big Apple (imp USA) JW.
Janet Morris
01873 880271
penrosechesapeakes@gmail.com