I was really looking forward to the Nedlo show as it is a lovely venue and lots of my agility friends were going to be there.

The first run of the day was a Combined G3-5 Jumping - I walked the course and didn't really like what I found!  Lots of long gaps between obstacles and a wall - I was going to have run this with both Ruby and Pepper and I don't think Ruby had ever seen a wall!

When it came to running the course it was much more fun than I had thought!  I had to run Pepper first and we were clear, albeit with some loopy turns due to rubbish handling and the fact that the ground was still quite wet and slippy!  Then it was Ruby's turn - it wasn't really a Ruby course but I wanted to make sure she had fun.  We set off around the course and she was doing really well, but unfortunately picked up 5 faults for missing a tunnel entry.  Next was the dreaded weave entry, but she got it first time and completed all 12 weaves without fault, and then finished the course!  I was so pleased with her but so gutted about the 5 faults!  

Here is the video of Ruby doing this course:

Pepper was placed 3rd for her run on this course - here she is with her rosette and trophy:

We had quite a long wait before our next runs - Graded 4 - 7 Agility and Graded 1 - 4 Agility for Pepper.  I decided that I wanted to run the courses to win as we are reaching the end of the season and I haven't achieved my goal of getting to Grade 5!  Sadly, the first course didn't go to plan! Pepper knocked a pole and I changed my tactics mid run, which made me lose track of the course and got us E'd!  The final course was a nice flowing one with no difficult handling, but again, she knocked a pole and picked up 5 faults!  So annoying as she rarely knocks poles and we would have won if we'd just been clear!!

So, we have 2 more KC shows to go before the end of the season - fingers crossed for a few clear rounds and a win into Grade 5.  And if I'm not being too greedy, I'd really like Ruby to get a clear in one of her remaining Jumping runs - she's doing so well and it would be great to see her get her first KC rosette!

What a lovely weekend!

We headed off to Kent on Friday evening to Scragged Oak Campsite that sits directly behind the Kent County Showground.  The campsite had been renovated since last year with a new facilities block, not that we needed them now that we have everything on board!  We were all set up within 20 minutes of arriving, with wine in hand, and just before the heavens opened!  It was another fun night cooking sausages and mash, watching TV and snuggling with the girls.

On Saturday morning we headed off to the showground early, ready for the day of agility ahead.  Pepper was in limbo - there is a 25 day period from winning up a grade before it comes into force - so I was going to be able to train her agility runs.

The agility was pretty good even if it did start with an E for the Grade 3 agility after Pepper ran off the seesaw before I released her, so made her run it again!   We had a Combined G3 - 5 Jumping that I ran with both girls - Ruby was fab and very happy to be in the ring, but she got faults for her weave entry.  And then Pepper went clear on the same course coming 2nd to a fast miniature collie!  Finally we had the Combined G1 - 3 agility - Pepper got all of her contacts and waited to be released and we came 3rd, even with held contacts!!

During the day we met up with our good friend Jenny and her two pups, Betsy the Cavapoo and Polly the Shi'poo.  Betsy had been a puppy this time last year and she's grown into a gorgeous fluff ball that reminds us so much of Pepper.  We hadn't met Polly before as she's only 6 months old - she's adorable and I can see why she has stolen Jenny's heart!

We also met up with Julia and John with Bailey and Jasper - friends from Fleet that had gone to Paws in the Park for the day!  So nice to catch up with them!

After leaving Paws in the Park I had my first drive of Elvis, back to Hampshire and straight to another campsite.  We stayed at The Fox and Goose in Greywell, a pub with a camping field that you can stay at for free if you pop into the pub for a drink or some food!  It was another fun night and an opportunity to try out our set up without electric hook-up.

We're so pleased with Elvis - can't wait for our next trip!

I'm so excited that Pepper has gained her Agility Warrant Bronze which means that her official title is now Royal Pepperlicious AW(B).

We gain points for any clear rounds that we achieve at Kennel Club shows and are awarded the Warrant as follows:

Agility Warrant Bronze AW(B)
200 Points (50 Points from Agility)

Agility Warrant Silver AW (S)
400 Points (100 Points from Agility)

Agility Warrant Gold AW(G)
600 Points (200 Points from Agility)

I'm so proud of her!  Hopefully we can get our Silver next year, but in the meantime, here's a picture of her with her certificate:

We've had Tubby, our VW California campervan for 3 years, and have had some fantastic trips away, but recently we have craved a little bit more space and comfort to be able to take longer trips.  This weekend we have exchanged Tubby for an Elddis Autoquest 140, christened Elvis!

It has everything that we were looking for:  a u-shaped lounge area that converts into a super kingsize bed, an oven and grill, a good sized sink with running hot water, and a bathroom! 

We picked it up from the garage yesterday and went straight to a campsite to try it out!  Our first night has been everything that we hoped - improved comfort and space, better ability to self-cater and our own facilities!!

We'll miss Tubby but are really looking forward to our new adventures with Elvis!!