It was a double whammy of a weekend. First up was the Carnwath Agricultural Show on Saturday. This had originally been planned as a solo adventure but, owing to a cake needing delivered (more on that later), my mum came along for the day. I had a certain amount of trepidation about her coming along, mostly because she doesn't particularly enjoy dog shows, and I'd never taken her to an agricultural show, which in my opinion is like a dog show, but with sheep and cows and very very big horses.
The weather was forecast to be reasonable so, with a silent prayer for sunshine, we set off. After a false start where the sat nav took me to the wrong side of the farm, we arrived and immediately made our way over to the dog arena to register Missy before having a mooch about the craft tent and then picking up some chips to bulk out the cheese sandwiches I'd brought as we waited for Missy's class.
This was a very serious dog show, I quickly realised. And Missy was the only dog in sight of mixed heritage. My mother is proudly biased towards Missy and proclaimed that she should win every class!
The sun came out, I had to run to he car to get Missy's cool coat and then it was our turn in the ring. We entered Best Condition, Waggiest Tail and Dog Judge Would Most Like to Take Home. Standing amongst pedigrees, several of which were being adjusted in minute detail to a perfect stand, I truly felt like a fraud. Missy took a look and the delicately stood dogs about us, humphed and lay down in the cool grass. She did stand and greet the judge and, as I explained Missy's dubious breeding, age and status of an old queen, the judge laughed and acknowledged that for 11, she was in remarkably good shape.
We placed third. I'm still pinching myself. Can one get imposter syndrome on behalf of the dog?
Mum was delighted and, failing to obtain any other ribbons, we mooched over to the main ring for the Champion of Champions.
How they judge a cow again a sheep against a horse I don't know, but both my mother and I guessed wrong on who should win. We were then treated to a piper coming out, fully dressed and bearing bagpipes, who then led the champions around the ring before all the winning cows and horses did a lap of honour.
And then it was the pig racing. Mum picked pig 15 who turned out to be the smallest pig I'd ever seen, and, in batches of 5, the 20 pigs raced. It was hilarious watching them make a beeline down to the trough where they tucked into dinner and the crowd was going wild for it. Missy did well and did not try to catch any bacon, although the thought definitely crossed her mind!
All in all a very good day - my mum absolutely loved the pig racing and, between that, Missy's rosette and the sunshine, it was deemed a good day.
So, the cake. I was commissioned by a family friend to make an "anime" cake. I requested photos of the bookshelves and found a lot of figurines for this guy - Nanami Kento. I don't know the anime but it was a fun bake. My mum was deemed it's caretaker and took it back home which is the halfway point between my house and the family friends.
(I am told it went down really well)
Then Sunday was a trip to Caerlaverock with my friend and her brand new beau to enjoy the Spectacular Jousting. It was my first time meeting her new partner (they are an adorable couple) and he was very much overwhelmed by the spectacle that is the jousting.
Once again donned in her cool coat, Missy enjoyed the attention lavished on her as she took over the whole picnic blanket as we watched the joust. Sit Checkmates mother was our special guest and, after poisoning one contestant and sharpening the lance so another was impaled, showed us all where Sir Checkmate learned his dastardly ways!
We enjoyed a stroll about the medieval village and the castle between jousts and, for the most part, enjoyed the good weather and the good company. There was churros and ice cream and a lot of laughs, and I'm not sure I could have asked for more!
Then it was back to mine for dinner and time to call it for the weekend. Next weekend is shaping up to be a busy one too, so until next time!
