The weekend continued

We arrived in Walla Walla about 4pm at headed to the fairgrounds to set up our tent in that “perfect” spot. The weather was lovely, in the mid 60’s and nice warming sun and a slight wind. We pitched the tent but erected two of the sides, to make a wind break (this was to prove a very wise decision as for the remainder of the weekend, it was very windy and it was a chilly wind) Carrie met up with us and we all headed off to an early dinner at one of the top local restaurants Creektown Café which was great.
We had a reasonable showtime on Saturday and so did not get to the fairgrounds until about 8:30am, We just were showing Herbie so I was able to relax and walk the other 2 boys around the grounds. Carrie had a great day as her girl Ava won her last point and became a champion

Saturday evening saw us back at the same restaurant (it was that good) joined by Carrie and another friend Kathy. There were some interesting Beers on the menu “In Heat Wheat Beer from the Flying Dog Brewery” and “Scotch Kilt Lifter from Pike Brewery”

We all had wine - after all, this is one of Washington’s famous wine areas – particularly for reds.
We had an earlier start on Sunday and were at the fairgrounds by 7:15 it was much breezier this morning and unless you were in a sheltered spot, in the sun just plain cold. But it was dry – always a good thing when it’s an outdoor show. We had just a small entry of beagles - (5) 13” and (8) 15” beagles – Herbie won the breed again today and won a group 2 later on. Which meant we could make an early start for home. Just as we were packing up the tent, a dust devil came through and picked up several of the tents/canopies around us and lifted them high into the air and dumped them down again, fortunately no human or dog was injured but some tents were destroyed.

It was another beautiful drive back home

And then a quick Dinner at Olive Garden (thought of you Alice, as we had our Salad!)

For a more complete look at the area that we drove through go to The Columbia River

Walla Walla Weekend

We left home about 11am on Friday. Lovely sunny day, perfect for driving – along one of the most beautiful drives I ever do. The freeway runs along the south bank of the Columbia River, and we were heading east for about 200 miles to Walla Walla. Just 20 miles out of Portland we passed the Multnomah falls
Then we continued towards Hood River, which is is one of the top windsurfing areas in the world, but not today – way too early in the season – even with a wet suit on...... however later in the season you will see this. Time for a quick stop at Starbucks, to pep us up for the rest of the journey. Then back on the road. At this time of the year the hills are all green, by mid July they will all be brown, east of Hood river, as the rain dries up

The next major town is The Dalles, and you pass under this unusual bridge, which features Salmon (an integral part of this area in so many ways)

More beautiful scenery

On we went through more of the gorge, with many wind turbines. Oregon is a very ecological state and so you see a lot of these turbines and there are many on the Washington side also.

The the scenery flattens out, to farming country and after passing through Pendleton, we headed North into Washington and to Walla Walla.

A weekend in Walla Walla

We are going to Walla Walla (in Eastern Washington) for a dog show this weekend, just Herbie is being shown. But I will be taking the other 2 boys with me, as things are a bit crazy here with 3 girls in season!

Walla Walla's claim to fame is that it is an up and coming wine area, so we shoould get to enjoy some wine and should we not do well at the show, well we will go off winetasting.

Summer may be coming

We have had some wonderful weather, with temperastures in the 80's - lots of sun (excellent grass growing climate) so we have spent our days walking, mowing and enjoying the sun - however the rain is predicted to come back for the weekend - well what would you expect - there are dog shows - outside shows!

Our puppies (who are with Janet - and you can see all the pictures on her blog) are growing up On her blog they are celebrating their mother 4th birthday. They are very cute puppies...

Bye Bye

Tomorrow morning Billy (pictured above) heads off to his new home in Chicago with James and Tam, where he will be spoilt rotten for the rest of his life. His sister Zoey, will be staying with us. We have to make room , so that we can keep a puppy from Abba's litter. And then we have just bred Cookie to Thomas with puppies due in late June - oh how I love summer puppies.

This abstract has no meaning - its just a cheery image that reflects my mood, as it going to be beautiful weather for the next few days with maybe a high of 80 or Monday! Its been a busy week of communicating with lots of friends around the world, from Denmark, England Germany and my parents in Australia.

I have finally had my new tooth (it's an implant that has been in process for about 18 months now) and its a good as new. Apart from that nothing too exciting happening in my life right now.

Moses Lake

On Friday I flew out of Portland to Spokane, where I then rented a car and drove for 1 1/2 hours to Moses Lake. (Moses Lake is one of the few large natural lakes in the Columbia Basin of Washington. It is long and narrow, with an area of 2753 hectares, mean depth of 5.8 m, and maximum depth of 11.6 m. The city of Moses Lake is on its shores) My hotel was on the shore of the lake, and so I spent Friday afternoon reading a book and relaxing in the sheltered, warm balcony of my motel room. An early start on Saturday as I had 169 dogs and a group to judge. Then back to the hotel for the club dinner and a fairly early night, before another early rise before a lighter days work today - just 98 dogs and 2 groups. Then hop in the car drive back to Spokane, catch the flight home and finally have a relaxing dinner with David at Olive Garden. Get home, recheck email - the urgent ones were attended to on the road - and then update blog and head to bead. A typical weekend, in the life of a judge!

Then just received this picture from Janet - see the link in the side bar to Team Beagle, for more photos

Abba in her Easter outfit, with her puppies.

Puppies - 1 week old

Thanks to good friend Janet for all the wonderful photos of the puppies

Abba and the babies will be heading off to live with her on Thursday.
She also took a picture of Zoey - our 5 month old girl.

It's that time of the year!

It was in the low 70's yesterday and time to hit the lawn mowing. Just to make it grow even more! Dogs and humans alike, all basked in the sunshine. Janet and Jo visited on the weekend and took LOTS of pictures of Abba and her puppies, which I will share when they are all sorted out. David returned from Tucson and thought the weather here, was almost as good.

Sunshine!

Today we have sunshine and it is predicted to stay with us until the next Wednesday and to hit the low 70's tomorrow and Monday - and that means - Lawn Mowing!! But I am ready for it.

We have a slight breeze today but if you can get out of the wind then its cozy (but its helping to dry the grass) All the dogs are lying on beanbags, soaking up the sun. My new litter is thriving - Abba's milk finally came in, so no longer having to supplement very much. She has a touch of mastitis though, so hot compresses every 3 hours or so - never a slack moment around here. David is enjoying his seminars and the weather in Tucson.

Rain, there must be sunshine somewhere

I left David at the airport this morning, as he was flying to Tucson for 4 days. He is attending the PBGV National (for Judges Education) and the temperatures there are to be in the low 80's and its raining here.
Still I have the puppies to amuse me and with such a big litter, I am "topping them all up"

twice a day, just to make sure everyone is gaining, until Abba's milk is fully in.