My next great adventure of the summer was a cross-border expedition - all the way to Harrogate to the Great Yorkshire Show.
I could not believe it when the manager got me up at 4am (yes, 4am!) and by 4.30am we had six sheep loaded up and off we set.
Just over three hours later we arrived - to be honest I slept most of the way as I got bored listening to Inspector Rebus, the manager's talking book.
It was nice and quiet when we got there so we got the sheep unloaded and settled (with the help of a very nice Hampshire down man from Edinburgh who did a remarkable job of reversing the manager's trailer for her!)
Our friends and neighbours the Lochlad Zwartbles team also arrived about the same time and Andy soon set about putting up his now famous 'erection'!!
This is me, sitting in front of it
And this is me, making friends with the very handsome Mr Blenheim, star of the Lochlad team
Later in the day, the manager's friend, Debbie, arrived with her sheep and I had good fun watching the two of them put up Debbie's tent which was to be our home for the next few days. Actually they put it up without too much difficulty, so no pictures of any collapsed tents, I'm afraid.
As judging was the next day, a quiet night was talked of but that still seemed to allow for a few gins to be consumed as the sun went down!
Judging started about 10.30am with the Ryelands and then for the first time at this show apparently there were two classes for Coloured Ryelands so it was quite a long morning.
The manager was well pleased with her prizes - and this time Wallander led the way for the Broomwell gang, winning the ram lamb class.
Here is me pictured with some of the rosettes
Top award in the Ryelands on the day went very deservedly to Mr Hipps' shearling ram, and later in the show I got a chance to meet up with him and the very nice lady who was showing him, Jeanne:
There were lots of spectators from Scotland watching the judging - the manger was delighted to see Jim and Janet from Lanarkshire, Eddie and Janice from Fife and Diana all the way from Aberdeenshire - but she hopes they will come back next year and bring some sheep with them!
Obviously there were lots of celebrations after the judging....and again later....
On Wednesday, Debbie and the manger took me on a trip out of the showground, saying we were going on a shopping expedition. But no shops were involved - instead we went to look at sheep!
But I am assured that purchases were made - I'm just not very sure what they were but apparently all will become clear in a few weeks' time!
From then on, it was just a whirlwind of socialising - and I was introduced to Pimms and Prosecco when the manager met up with some friends from Lockerbie:
Then in the evening, it was barbecue time with Caz and the Dr, Anne and John and some very nice ladies with Kerry Hills whose name I can't quite remember - blame it on the Pimms!
This is me helping with the barbecuing - thankfully there were no lamb kebabs - that would have made me very uncomfortable!
I also met up with my friend Mr Jimmy Choo:
And Mr Hugo Boss:
Next day was the last day and we watched some judging called 'Wool on the Hoof':
I then went to visit the sheep belonging to our friends and barbecue hosts Caz and the Dr - but was a bit reluctant to get too close - as they had horns! (and scary eyes!)
I got a bit more up close and personal with Debbie's Talisker - but I knew I was safe with him as he originally came from Broomwell!
And here are some Yorkshire Ryeland friends I made:
And here's just a very cute picture (even though I am not in it) of a young visitor talking to Wallander:
So another great few days came to an end - except I had to endure another three hours of Inspector Rebus on the way home!
And then it was time for bed - Zzzz
See ya!
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